The Osun State Government has denied receiving money from the Federal Government, just as the state inaugurated committee for the distribution of food palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the residents of the state.
The state government, however, confirmed receiving 3,000 bags of 50kg rice from the Federal Government – additional 14,320 bags of rice and 3,000 metric tonnes of maize are still expected.
Members of the committee were inaugurated by the Deputy Governor, Mr Kola Adewusi.
The committee inaugurated comprises of representatives of leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim community, labour unions, market women and Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria(IPAC).
The committee are expected to meet and fashion out ways of distributing the grains to the poorest of the poor in the state without rancor.
“Once the state receives the remaining bags of rice from the Federal Government, it will start its distribution”, said the state Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi.
On the N5 billion Federal Government palliatives to states, the commissioner said Osun was yet to receive the money.
“As at today, we have received 3000 bags of rice and we are still expecting 14,320 bags.
“Members of the committee in their wisdom decided that it will be better for the remaining bags of rice to come and be distributed at once, than to distribute the available 3, 000 bags in one cup.
“We also heard that the Federal Government is giving N5 billion to each of the states, we have not received any kobo, but we are hoping that it will come. Once we receive the money, our governor is always transparent, he will equally address the state on it.
“As it is today in our account book, we have not received alert or any money in relation to N5 billion for palliative; what we have received in concrete term happen to be 3000 bags of rice”, Alimi clarified.
In his remarks, President of Osun Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said the bags of rice were intact and were yet to be distributed as being speculated.
Also speaking, the state’s Iyaloja-General, Mrs Mary Oyebode, said that the information that the rice had been diverted was false.
The CAN, Labour and IPAC representatives in their remarks also dispelled the rumor that the bags of rice had been diverted.
