A’Ibom govt distributes free food items to vulnerable

Ini Billie, Uyo

The Akwa Ibom State Government has begun the distribution of free food items to the vulnerable, needy and poor people under its food security programme, tagged “ARISE Free Food.”

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, who flagged off the scheme at Itam Market, Itam in Itu Local Government Area, also announced N1.5 billion interest-free revolving loan scheme for traders and directed local government Transition Chairmen to flag off the scheme in their council areas within one week.

During the food distribution, vouchers were given to persons listed in the social registers for onward receipt of 5kg bags each of gari, rice and beans from the redemption centres.

Under the loan scheme, the state’s three senatorial districts will receive a total of N500 million each for traders through the state-owned, Ibom Fadama Micro Finance Bank.

Speaking during the flag-off on Wednesday, Eno announced the appointment of three Senior Special Assistants to the Governor on Traders Matters for the three senatorial districts, and ten Special Assistants on Traders Matters to cover the ten federal constituencies of the State.

The governor said the appointments were to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of the scheme and urged traders to open accounts with Ibom Fadama Micro Finance Bank.

He stated that his administration was committed to the well-being of the downtrodden, noting that he would continue developing policies to lift the poor from a state of despair.

“I hear that it is because market people get loans from places with high interest, and they are unable to pay back the loan and interest, which makes the prices of things high in the market.

“We are releasing to each senatorial district market an interest-free loan of five hundred million naira per senatorial district.

“Every money will be paid into the Ibom FADAMA Micro Finance Bank. So, if you do not have an account with the bank, each business person should open an account with them.

“This is for everyone. There’s no such thing as a portfolio marketer. The people must have their stalls in the market working with the SAs and Market Union,” he stated.

Governor Eno mentioned that the recent inauguration of the Bulk Purchase Agency was designed to work towards crashing and stabilizing food prices in the state.

He further announced plans to set up an Agriculture Committee to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the programme across the state and charged the personal aides to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.

“Let no one make any mistake that these vouchers can be replicated. You will not be able to fake this one because the Nigeria Printing and Minting Company prints these vouchers and if we catch you, it is an offence.

“When they give you the voucher, then they will give you the food. Garri will be 5kg, rice 5kg, and beans 5kg.

There is no guarantee that one person will have more than one voucher.

“So whatever voucher you have, take it to the market and a scale will be used by the agent at the redemption centre to measure the food to you.

“For those who want to be part of the scheme, it is a business and all measurements must be done with scales and not cups. If you do not have a scale, you are not qualified,” he stated.

He warned his aides drawn from all the 368 wards to ensure that only people who are in the social registers are given the food vouchers, saying each personal aide was given a mobile computer tablet to ensure the social registers are meticulously used to execute the programme.