Olu Samuel, Lokoja
The Kogi state government has said that the delay in the distribution of the Federal government palliatives is due to the fact that not all the allocated palliatives accruing to the state has been received.
The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, in a statement on Sunday disclosed that the state has received approximately 95% of the palliative items from the federal government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
He blamed the delay on transporters engaged by the Federal Government.
According to him, “the food items allocated to the state have not been fully received due to delays caused by the transporter
Atimah stressed that the delay in delivery has affected the strategic and timely distribution plan put in place by the State Government.
“The Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, who understands the plight of the people amidst the current economic hardships in the country, would have preferred to distribute the palliative food items long ago to alleviate the suffering of the people if the items had been delivered promptly as expected.
“Hopefully, the food items will be fully received and distributed to the vulnerable populations across the state soon.
“The state government, under the able leadership of our capable and people-oriented Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, and Hon. Mouktari Atimah, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, acknowledges the patience, resilience, and cooperation of the citizens of the state.”
Atimah stressed that the delay in delivery has affected the strategic and timely distribution plan put in place by the State Government.
“The Governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, who understands the plight of the people amidst the current economic hardships in the country, would have preferred to distribute the palliative food items long ago to alleviate the suffering of the people if the items had been delivered promptly as expected.
“Hopefully, the food items will be fully received and distributed to the vulnerable populations across the state soon.
“The state government, under the able leadership of our capable and people-oriented Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, and Hon. Mouktari Atimah, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, acknowledges the patience, resilience, and cooperation of the citizens of the state.”