FG distributes palliatives to flood victims, others in Niger Delta

The Federal Government, at the weekend, flagged off the distribution of palliatives worth millions of naira to cushion the impact of the recent flood disaster that ravaged most parts of the Niger Delta.

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, disclosed that the exercise targeted at victims of the flood and vulnerable persons in the nine states of the Niger Delta was approved by President Bola Tinubu.

Momoh, who flagged off the distribution process in Akure, Ondo State capital, for onward distribution for the other eight nine Niger Delta states, identified as Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, said Tinubu is committed to alleviating the challenges faced due to the flood.

The Minister disclosed that the items approved for distribution include rice, spaghetti, beans, sewing machines, grinding machines, motorcycles, and cooking stoves, among others.

“A lot of decisions and policies have been taken by this government, and the decisions being taken are painful, but that is the only way by which we can address the problems that have been facing this country, and in a very short time we will begin to see the effects of the decisions. So let us continue to pray for our president because he means very well for Nigeria,” he said.

“Now, it is the duty of the stakeholders to identify the vulnerable in the society, particularly the people that were affected by the flood, and after distributing to them, other people can also benefit.

“We are going to monitor the distribution of the items, and it would be well handled. We are not here to give it to one person; everybody will benefit, and I’m sure that any person who takes any of these items must be ready. If it is one vote you wanted to cast for our governor, you will cast two votes.”

On her part, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Seun Bosede Osamaye, who said the palliatives will reduce the burden on the people, lauded the Federal Government for providing the palliatives to flood-impacted victims and the vulnerable in the nine Niger Delta states.

Osamaye, however, urged the beneficiaries in Ondo State to be orderly and effectively utilise the items to boost their economic well-being.