Adebayo Adenrele
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has approved the release of the sum of N331,000,000 for the purchase of rice to all local governments in the state, stressing that 25 bags of rice should be given to each ward in all the local councils.
The Governor, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, also directed Chairmen of Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas in the state to mobilize and distribute the food items to citizens in their respective council areas to cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.
The distribution of the food items, according to the Governor, would complement the various palliative measures put in place by the state government in the short term, adding that the councils should invest in agriculture as a way of forestalling future food crisis.
Oyebanji gave the directive during a meeting with the local government chairmen and officials of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs in Ado- Ekiti.
The Governor, however cautioned that the food distribution should not be done on partisan basis, but given out to the people through recognised community development associations.
Governor Oyebanji said his government would roll out more economic relief programs by next week, aimed at cushioning the effect of the economic situation on the people.