The Yobe government has praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the release of 21,000 bags of grains to the state.
Muhammad Goje, executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, stated this in an interview in Damaturu on Monday.
He said the grains, including rice, maize, guinea corn and millet, were distributed to orphans, widows, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Mr Goje said Gov. Mai Mala Buni earlier constituted a committee comprising local government chairpersons, anti-corruption groups, and security agencies to handle the distribution exercise across the state’s 17 local government areas.
”The committee at both state and local government levels profiled beneficiaries, taking into account their name, phone number, sex, disability status, and geocoordinate. It ensured transparency and accountability, and the grains reached those who needed them most.
“Overall, the grains’ distribution had a positive impact on the state, with the cost of commodities decreasing and lives were saved across various locations,” he said.
Mr Goje said the federal government’s intervention complemented the state government’s efforts to provide relief to the people.
“You will recall that recently, Yobe launched the distribution of 50,000 bags of assorted grains targeting 120,000 vulnerable households across the 17 local government areas to provide food to those who are actually in need.
“Our government had, before then, provided several interventions with a fair and transparent distribution to eligible beneficiaries. The citizens’ welfare no doubt occupies a primary position on the priority list of this administration, and this explains the continuous interventions by the government to ensure that food is made available to the less privileged and vulnerable persons,” Mr Goje said.
Some beneficiaries of the palliative who spoke in separate interviews in Damaturu also thanked the president for the intervention.