Hardship: Osun set to distribute corn, garri to vulnerable citizens

The Osun State Government has said it has started receiving the expected 43 trucks of food palliatives of garri and corn from the Federal Government as part of efforts to cushion the effects of hardship currently experienced by Nigerians across the country.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.

“Out of the total of 43 trucks being expected, 4 are Garri of 25kg with each truck containing 1260 bags and another 39 trucks of 50kg bags of Corn, containing 600 bags each.

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“It is to be noted that the Osun State Government is being charged the sum of N67,422,000 by the FG as a haulage fee, out of which the state government has paid the sum of N45,000,000, leaving it with a balance of N22,422,000 to be offset before the delivery of the remaining consignments would be effected,” he said.

“This current food palliative, which consists of Garri and Corn, was originated from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and is being distributed by the National Emergency Management Agency Office (NEMA), Abuja, and is being received by Osun State Government through the office of the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA).

“However, for transparency, record, and accountability, officials of the Nigeria Police, ICPC, DSS, EFCC, and NEMA are readily on the ground to monitor the offloading and documentation of the consignments of the food palliatives.

“Accordingly, the distribution of the food palliatives to the would-be beneficiaries throughout the State will commence tomorrow, Tuesday, 30th July 2024, and it is going to be carried out in line with an already spelt-out template given by the FG, which is in concomitant with the one also already mapped out by the Osun State Government.

“Osun State Government started receiving and offloading the trucks of the two edibles of Garri and Corn from Thursday, 11th of July 2024 at OSEMA warehouse in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

“So far, as of Sunday, the 28th of July 2024, 4 trucks of Garri of 25kg and 21 trucks of Corn of 50kg bag have been received. While all the 4 trucks of Garri and the 16 trucks of Corn have been offloaded, the remaining 5 trucks of Corn will be offloaded today as Osun State Government is still expecting 1 truck of Corn today, Monday, the 29th July 2024.

“In line with the agreement earlier reached with the FG, Osun State is also to offset the cost of both offloading and distribution of the food palliatives to the would-be beneficiaries in the various Local Governments in the State.”

Promising transparency in the distribution, he said, “The present administration in Osun State under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, with all sense of responsibility, is glad to announce that the formal distribution exercise will commence with immediate effect tomorrow, Tuesday, 30th of July 2024, through a clean, clear, thorough, and transparent process.

“We wish to use this opportunity to assure the people of the State, especially the targeted most vulnerable population, of the readiness of Senator Ademola Adeleke’s Government to adhere strictly to already laid down templates for the distribution by both the State and Federal Governments.

“While we also count on the continued support and cooperation of the people of Osun State, we are equally using this medium to state that no one, especially the most targeted vulnerable population, will be shortchanged whatsoever during the distribution of the food items.”