In a bid to alleviate the prevailing global economic hardship, the Ekiti State Government has approved the immediate purchase and distribution of food items worth N331 million to the needy. This initiative, part of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s recently announced economic relief programme, will benefit residents in the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
In addition to this, the state government has also approved the payment of outstanding furniture allowances to political office holders who served between 2022 and 2023. This gesture recognises their contributions to the development of their LGAs and aims to cushion the effect of the current economic hardship. The beneficiaries of this initiative include Vice Chairmen, Secretaries, Councillors, Supervisors, and Special Advisers.
The State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr Folorunso Olabode, disclosed these developments in Ado Ekiti. He explained that each ward would receive 25 bags of rice, and assured that the distribution would be carried out without bias to political affiliation or influence. The entire process will be handled in collaboration with the Community Development Associations (CDAs) in each local government area.
Olabode stated that this move is expected to curb the rising cost of food and serve as a palliative for communities at the grassroots. He also advised Local Governments to encourage people, particularly the youth in their areas, to engage in agriculture. He emphasised the need to take advantage of opportunities provided by the state government through the Ministry of Agriculture, with the aim of transitioning farmers in the state from subsistence farming to real agribusiness.