Rafiu Ajakaiye, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the state governor, made this announcement and confirmed the receipt of two billion Naira from the Federal Government as a relief fund.
He clarified that this amount was part of the four billion Naira allocated by the Federal Government for the purchase of rice to be distributed to vulnerable individuals in the state.
“The state government is also awaiting the remaining two billion Naira of the fund, as well as one billion Naira worth of maize (40,000 bags) which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is supplying to each state from the national strategic reserve.
“These details provide context for the earlier reported five billion Naira Federal Government relief package,” the governor's CPS explained.
He further revealed that each state was allocated four billion Naira to procure rice at the current market value and distribute it to citizens, prioritizing the most vulnerable individuals, as agreed upon by the National Economic Council (NEC).
“Each state will also receive one billion Naira worth of maize from the strategic national reserve through the CBN. This will be provided as maize, not in cash.”
Ajakaiye emphasized that it was important to note that 48 percent or N1.92 billion of the four billion Naira was a non-interest loan.
“This loan will be repaid over a 20-month period at 120 million Naira monthly, beginning in November.”
He added that the state government had already initiated the purchase of rice equivalent to the specified amount to ensure transparency and fairness.
The CPS also indicated that the distribution of the palliatives would be exclusively overseen by a committee led by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ebun Adelesi.
“She will be supported by the Emir of Shonga, Dr. Haliru Yahya, the state Chairman of Jama’átu Nasrul Islam (JNI), and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman, among others,” he stated.
