The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced that preparations have begun to distribute 180 trucks of rice to different states, as recommended by the National Economic Council.
In response to the removal of subsidies leading to increased fuel prices, the Federal Government unveiled a N5 billion palliative for each state and 180 trucks of rice to alleviate the impact.
This subsidy removal policy has escalated living costs, plunging many Nigerians into poverty and exacerbating the nation’s socio-economic conditions. During the 135th National Economic Council meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum revealed that the N5 billion allocation aimed to assist states in acquiring 100,000 bags of rice, 40,000 bags of maize, and fertilizers, aiming to mitigate food shortages nationwide.
Speaking on Sunday, the organization’s spokesperson said: “I’m not saying that lifting has not started.
“What I’m saying is that the directive was given on Thursday and arrangements are being made appropriately to carry out the directive.
“And you know that these arrangements would also mean that NEMA will be communicated formally. But for us in NEMA we are prepared to carry out the directive. That’s what I mean.
“What was said after the National Economic Council is that NEMA is going to move the items to the states, and NEMA is also expected to distribute relief materials to communities in the states bordering Nigeria and Niger Republic.
“The Kogi State governor even made a statement that NEMA would need to be empowered for the management of flood. So those were the outcomes of the National Economic Council meeting, which was held on Thursday.
“But you must also know that in every meeting, minutes are prepared and directives are communicated. So that is the stage that we are right now.”
