Kaduna State government on Saturday began distribution of the N500 million worth of food items in the eight pilot local government areas of the state.
The commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Hafsat Baba disclosed this, while flagging off the distribution at Kaduna North local government which is under her supervision.
Hafsat said arrangement has been concluded with security men to take the relief package to the homes of each of the beneficiaries.
According to her, Kaduna North local government had ten clusters which are Badarawa, Anyin Banki, Angwan Kadara, Angwan Rimi, Angwan Shanu, Rafin Gusa, Kawo, Kabala, Doka 1 and Doka 2, saying ‘each of the clusters has about 900 names, address and phone numbers for verifications by interested parties.
Breaking down the item expected to be distributed in Kaduna North local government she said, “for the 10 clusters, we have so far received 10,000 cartons of Noodles, 850 50kg bags of rice, 1,400 cartons of spaghetti, 1,290 packs of vegetable oil (pack of 4) and 120 bags of beans. We still await 4,200 bags of semovita, 1,200 packs of sugar and 2,200 bags of garri.
ALSO READ: Ogun residents obey sit -at-home order
“We are targeting the aged, the widows, the people with disabilities, VVF patients who are in the hospital and cannot go home among other vulnerable groups.
“We have the names, address and phone number of the beneficiaries because we want to be transparent as much as possible and that is why we have the media and representative of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and other interests here to witness what we are doing”, she said.
When she was asked why non-governmental organisations were not involved in the distribution team she said, “I have been receiving text messages from NGOs that they want to be part of the distribution. But, I declined because we have so many of them here in Kaduna. So, which one do I take and which do I leave out?
“In order not to appear good to some and bad to some, I declined their calls to be involved. However, that does not it mean they cannot do follow up. In fact, let me call on all NGOs in Kaduna to form a Coalition and bring what they have to support the government”, she added.
and then