Residents of Ogun State have lamented the poor distribution of the food palliatives meant to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy remova and have equally called out the governor for the error.
The Ogun State government flagged off the distribution of 300,000 10kg bags of rice to residents of the state on September 1, 2023.
Recall that, as a palliative measure for the removal of fuel subsidy, the federal government released N5 billion and 3,000 bags of rice to each as part of the palliative distribution to citizens.
In Ogun, the government re-bagged the 3,000 bags into 300,000 bags to reach more households.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, speaking at the flag-off ceremony held at the Arcade ground of the governor’s office in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, said the 10kg bags of rice would be distributed across all polling units.
Abiodun noted that a committee made up of men and women of distinguished character has been set up to oversee the distribution of the palliatives.
He said that the committee, chaired by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, would ensure that the distribution is effectively implemented, while the 20 local councils will have similar committees.
“The committee will be chaired by the deputy governor, and she will be supported by former deputy governors, two members of the National Assembly, one from the House of Representatives, and the other from the Senate.
“Other members include the deputy speaker, the minority leader, Iyalojas, representatives of CDCs, CDAs, youth, inter-ethnic groups, community leaders, and other eminent personalities who we believe will ensure that the palliative distribution is effectively, efficiently, and transparently implemented,” he said.
However, OgunWatch gathered that Oke Aro, Ibaragun ward of Ifo local government area of the state had received only 10 bags of the 10kg rice.
Speaking to some residents in one of its communities with over a hundred (100) houses, it was disclosed that they received just two bags of the 10 kg rice.
“There are eleven wards in Ifo local government, and these ten bags were given to the whole Oke Aro Ibaragun ward where we have several CDCs and you know we have CDC and CDA.
“What I know is that 1 bag was given to a CDC where we have over 100 people; I don’t know how they expect us to share it. And that rice is 10kg, not even 50kg or a full bag of rice.
“A lot of people are complaining. Some got 2 bags of 10kg for a community with about 100 houses.
Also, at Adeshina/Ifelodun CDA under Akera Area CDC in Ifo Constituency 2, a source disclosed that some alleged APC members went home with one 10kg bag of rice, while others had to share two bags.
“What an insult upon injury! 2 pieces of 10kg rice given out as palliative support for a Community comprising about 100 houses and many households.
“For record purposes, this particular CDA is Adeshina/Ifelodun CDA under Akera Area CDC in Ifo Constituency 2. Whereas, some APC members went home with one or two bags of 10kg per person. Most CDAs in the area got just two bags each. What a palliative indeed!” he added.
Wondering about how these 2 bags of 10kg rice would be shared efficiently, an eyewitness disclosed that in Tekobo Idi Aba, Abeokuta South local government, one bag was shared among ten houses.
“I was on a road walk at Sodiya, Sofoluwe Street, Pejuola community, Tekobo Idi Aba in Abeokuta South local government, and I noticed that one bag was given to 10 houses to share. I was shocked, so I had to stop by and even take pictures.
The Mowe Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman in Ogun State, Timothy Agboola, stated in a video posted on social media that he did not know how to distribute a bag of grain donated to his community, which included more than 200 families.
He said, “The houses under me are more than 200. I don’t even know how to distribute this to reach everyone in my CDA. They will later say they distributed palliatives; this is not a palliative because I don’t even know how they want me to present it to my CDA members.
“I am showing this to the general public because they may later say they used billions of naira to buy palliatives. I don’t know how they want me to distribute this palliative.”
