Kano State Government has flagged-off the distribution of palliatives and farm inputs to the vulnerable, women and farmers across the 44 local government areas of the state.
The distribution ceremony of the relief materials took place at the Kano State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KNARDA) headquarters in Kano on Monday.
The items to be distributed included 297, 000 bags of 10kg rice, 160, 000 bags of 10kg maize, fertilizer, 2, 500 pumping machines and other related farm inputs, as well as 2, 600 goats, sheep, rams which will be distributed to women.
Speaking while sharing the palliatives, the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf said the programme was to reduce hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy across the entire country.
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He said the gesture was also towards improving agricultural production in line with the state’s vision of agricultural revolution that will make it less dependent on federal allocations.
He described that the items were secured through the palliative support sent by the federal government and other donor partners that are doing interventions in the state. They included SASAKAWA, KSADP, APPEALS, Kano Cares, all in collaboration with KNARDA.
“This distribution of relief materials is to help people, especially the vulnerable to get succour as people are passing through a lot. We are aware of the situation the masses are passing through. As you can see, we didn’t stop on palliatives only, but we also included agricultural inputs so that it will strengthen the fight against poverty, enhance food production and create jobs.
“Because of the role that women play in the development of our society, we decided to also support them with goats, rams and sheep so that they can be independent through rearing. About 2, 600 of them will benefit from this.”
The governor assured that there would be transparency in the distribution exercise, as his government will not tolerate any injustice in the distribution, adding that some of the palliatives will also be distributed in orphanages, Tsangaya and Islamiyya schools, rehabilitation centres and hospitals.
“We have formed committees and these committees are from state to local government and ward level. All of them will report to the Secretary to the State Government. All government officials are excluded from this distribution, unless the junior staff,” he said.
Earlier in his welcome remark, the managing director of KANRDA, Dr. Farouk Kurawa said the agricultural inputs were shared for enhanced irrigation activities in the state, calling on the state government to increase more extension agents for enhanced service delivery.
One of the beneficiaries, Adam Muhammad appreciated the state government for the gesture, and urged his fellow recipients to utilize the items judiciously.
