In a bid to cushion the effects of economic hardship on residents, the Akwa Ibom State Government has announced plans to distribute 48,000 bags of rice to vulnerable households, including 2,272 villages.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Uyo on Friday.
Dr. Offor stated that the distribution, which will cover 2,272 gazetted villages in the state, includes 24,000 bags from the Federal Government and an additional 24,000 bags approved by Governor Pastor Umo Eno to supplement the federal supply.
Joined by her colleagues from the Ministry of Information, Ini Ememobong; Ministry of Economic Development, Emem Bob; the Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Dan Akpan; and the Media Consultant to the Governor, Aniekan Umanah, Dr. Offor explained that Governor Eno’s decision to augment the federal donation was a responsible move to support more families instead of engaging in blame games.
Dr. Offor, on behalf of Governor Eno, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians.
She elaborated on the rice distribution plan, which would see each of the 2,272 gazetted villages receive 20 bags of rice. Additionally, Dr. Offor noted that over 100,000 families who are part of the social register and have received or will receive free food items from the Bulk Purchase Agency would also benefit from the distribution.
She described the rice distribution as a short-term measure to address hunger and food insufficiency, highlighting that the long-term solution lies in the back-to-farm initiative, supported by work-free farm days to boost local food production.
Dr. Offor noted that the state government had already undertaken several strategic interventions, including distributing cassava cuttings, maize grains, pepper seedlings, and coconut seedlings to 135 public schools; 150,000 cocoa seedlings to cocoa farmers; 40,000 palm seedlings to oil palm farmers; 80,000 pepper seedlings to vegetable farmers; and 20 metric tonnes of rice to rice farmers. Livestock and poultry supplies have also been provided to poultry farmers.
These efforts are in addition to livelihood grants of N50,000 to 1,560 beneficiaries and agricultural inputs and services to 900 farmers under the AK-CARES Scheme.
Dr. Offor clarified that the rice distribution would take place at local government council headquarters, from where council chairmen will oversee the safe transportation of 20 bags to each gazetted village, with the date to be announced soon.
In his remarks, Amos Etuk, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, praised the state government’s proactive measures and assured that journalists would continue to promote a peaceful and progressive society through objective journalism.