Niger LG Commissioner warns against diversion of palliatives

From Yakubu Mustapha Minna

The Niger state Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muazu Hamidu Jantabo has warned against transparency and diversion of palliative items to ensure fair and just distribution.
Jantabo handed down the warning during the flag-off of the distribution exercise held at Lapai council secretariat, where he outlined measures taken by the standing committees for even distribution of items to ensure inclusiveness devoid of rancor and bitterness.
The commissioner reiterated the enforcement of governor Mohammed Umar Bago’s directives to ensure
equitable Distribution of items like rice beans, garri and other food items eaten in such community to all the units.
According to him, special consideration for 2 wards in Lapai, known for their cosmopolitan demographics and township location, received special attention as agreed by the committee.
They are allocations for Gabas-Kudu, and Arewa-Yamma wards that received 9 bags of rice and 2 bags of beans respectively, saying that the political appointees in the 10 Wards of council agreed and contributed to cover the outstanding N1,518,000 for logistics.
Hamidu Jantabo added that allocation for other 8 remaining wards in Lapai local council got 8 bags of rice and 2 bags of beans and additional 6 bags of rice each.
He noted that the provisions for security agencies like the Lapai Police Division received 3 bags of rice, the Army 2 bags as well as the Vigilantes 20 bags. In addition to the DSS, SIB, Civil Defence Corps, Fire Service, and Prisons Service also received their share of the palliative distribution.
Jantabo maintained that there was a residual value of N798,000 left from the total items bought for distribution, just as the logistical costs for the distribution was estimated to cost N2,316,000, leaving a balance of N1,518,000 respectively.