Cross River Adopts Multi-Dimensional Approach To Palliative Distribution

 

As part of efforts to cushion the current challenges associated with food insecurity, the Cross River State Government has adopted a Multi-dimensional approach to enhance distribution of palliatives amongst citizens and residents.

 

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The Secretary of the Cross River State Palliative Distribution Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Mr. Ekpenyong Akiba told journalists in Calabar, the state capital that sequel to the flag-off for the disbursement of cash and food items, the government had deviced other measures to reach out to more people.

 

Akiba stressed that the constitution of the palliative committee included groups that may sometimes get overlooked during periods such as this saying, “following the removal of fuel subsidy, the governor set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government with membership drawn from different stakeholders including youth council, students’ union, traditional rulers and religious leaders, among other interest groups.

 

“There was mass distribution of rice and this was made public. It was the first time that distribution of palliatives was given out to people within and outside Calabar, the capital. I am a member of that committee and I was one of those, who went to the northern part of the state for the distribution of the palliative.

 

“We ensured that the palliative was given to the rural people. Similarly, there was a group that handled the central senatorial district, while the one in the southern senatorial district was handled by all the committee members being the headquarters of the state, in which I also participated. Government also provided transportation to enable those, who got the palliatives to get to their various destinations,” he said.

 

Akiba further explained, “They were very happy and said it was the first time the government was transparent. They said that the amount that they heard was what was given to them, and is because of the character of our governor, who has made it mandatory for those working with him to be transparent and always deliver messages from the government the way they should be,” he noted.

 

Sustained palliatives

 

To sustain the effort and deter any protest, Akiba said that the Cross River government had distributed a wage award of Ten thousand naira (₦10,000.00) to state civil servants and continued with free medical treatment to children under five years, pregnant women and the elderly from 60 years.

 

Continuing, he said, the government has paid WAEC (West African Examination Council) fees for indigent students and provided grants to farmers. All these are palliatives because the governor had to make it multi-dimensional, not just the distribution of food items. The government has also paid hospital bills for many surgeries running into millions of naira. Now all these are part of what the government is doing to alleviate the current challenges facing the people.

 

“The governor has also directed the Commissioner for Transport to engage commercial drivers and see how transport fares can be reduced, besides other interventions. I can tell you that we are still distributing palliatives quietly, which is why in Cross River State, I can say without any equivocation, there will be no tension,” he added.