NEWS
COVID 19: Bayelsa Distributes Garri to Local Government Areas
In order to cushion the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic ravaging the whole world including Nigeria, the Bayelsa state government on Thursday, distributed some bags of garri across the eight local government areas in the state.
The garri is meant for the less privileged people at the local government level.
Speaking unbehalf of the Governmnent, the permanent secretary of Ministry of Information and Orientation, Freston Akpor said this was one of the measures being taken by the state government to make sure that the people didn’t suffer too much.
The permanent secretary said” It is obvious that the cost of food has risen.
There are also restrictions on some markets across the country and some neighborhood states.“That will create prize hike and some level of scarcity and some people in the society will be badly affected especially those under privileged, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of State Emergency Management Agency, Zidekiah Isu said the governor in his magnanimity decided that some items such as sorghum, rice, garri, millet, be shared to those who were less privileged at least to cushion the effects of the economic consequences of the pandemic.
According to him, the items were going to every local government.
” His Excellency has Said that as the funds come by, the state will be able to augment,” he stated.
He expalined that the items were from National Emergency Agency and were to have been distributed much earlier to flood victims.
“What happened is that NEMA usually sends their representative who will in turn distribute these items in synergy with the SEMA.
“I wrote letters to NEMA repeatedly but they didn’t come. Infact these items have been here for over three months. I repeadly called them and told them that the items were going bad especially the garri that they were going black but they didn’t respond.
“I was forced to make a report to the governor who latter intervened and lended his miracle voice. He ordered that we should go ahead and distribute the items.
The governor of the state, Douye Diri had gone to inspect the food stuffs earlier in the week and it was gathered that those were the items meant for flood victims of 2019.
According to market survey, garri measure that was normally sold for N500 now sells between N1500 and N2000, while a cup which was normally sold for N50 is now N100.
NEWS
Imo Governor Appoints 16 Special Advisers
From Marcel Duru & Charity Wins, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Sen Hope Uzodimma has approved the appointment of 12 Special Advisers (SAs) as efforts are in top gear to deepen the gains of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government of his second term.
The appointments, according to the governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku on Wednesday in Owerri, were with immediate effect.
The newly appointed SAs are: Barr. Leo Awazieama; Joseph Oputa; Mrs. Ijeoma Ikegwuruka; Comrade Austin Chilakpu; Dr. Patrick Uzoma; Dr. (Mrs) Obianuju Nwokejiobi; Chidi Onyewuchi; Andy Chikwe; AND Amarachi Anyaehie.
Others are: Tonia Chimenem Chinda; John Ikeaka; Mrs. Chinyere Emeziem; Mrs. Esther Ukachukwu; Ezechi Chukwueme; Humphrey Ikeaka and Barr. Mrs. Ngozi Pat Ekeji.
Governor Uzodimma congratulated the new appointees and urged them to brace up to contribute their quota in the overall interest of Imo State.
NEWS
CNPP Laments over Rising Food Inflation
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP) has lamented the rising state of food inflation in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Chairman of CNPP, Mohammed Kabir Abdullahi in a statement made available to Journalists, fumed that the prices of food stuff and other goods have continued to bite harder on the people of the State.
Abdullahi, who disclosed that Kogi is a Civil Servant state and does not deserve this continuous untold hardship noted that the present economy is toxic on the people.
He stressed that Kogi State having the highest food inflation in Nigeria according to the National Bureau of Statistics report is not only embarrassing but condemnable.
He emphasized that the people of the State are suffering adding that, the present administration should urgently put measures in place to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses.
” It is not good news as far as CNPP is concerned that Kogi recorded 48.46 per cent, which is the highest food inflation rate in Nigeria followed by Kwara 46.18 percent, while Akwa Ibom was pegged at 45.18 percent.
“Now in Kogi State, when you go to the market, what you will buy at a particular price in the morning will be different from what you will buy with the same goods in the afternoon or evening . The traders didn’t go to the market to buy new products but they will on their own increase the prices just to frustrate the people despite them earning peanuts as their wages. This is unfair and condemnable.
“We are appealing to the government of Kogi State to intervene in the rising state of food inflation. People are really suffering. Kogi State is a Civil servant state and does not deserve what they are getting now. Many traders in Kogi State are using the present economic hardship in the Country to exploit the people.
“This must stop before things get out of hand. The Government must ensure that those who are sabotaging its effort in controlling economic inflation are checked. We know that the present administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will do the needful for the people of Kogi State to smile again” he stated.
He, however, appealed to the people to remain calm, promising that CNPP will hold the government accountable for good governance in Kogi State.
NEWS
Benue killings: Benue reps frown on incessant attacks on communities, killings of his constituents
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The member House of Representatives representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Arc. Asema Achado, Wednesday, condemned the incessant attacks on Benue communities and killing of 28 persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen militia in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
Arc. Achado who described the action of the attackers as senseless, expressed deep condolences and solemn empathy to the grieving communities of Tse-Kperyisa, Tse-Adaa, and Tse-Shiver, where innocent farmers were slaughtered by herdsmen. Achado in a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mendah Manasseh, said he joined his voice with the Gwer West people in condemnation of the senseless and unlawful attacks..The statement said “the attacks have inflicted immeasurable pain and suffering upon the peace-loving people of Gwer West.”I implored the Benue State Government to urgently intervene by enforcing the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, by ensuring that the perpetrators of these barbaric acts face swift and decisive justice.“They should also collaborate with law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible for these heinous crimes against humanity,” he said.”I therefore call on the people of Gwer West to remain steadfast and united in their quest to bring an end to the spate of killings.Achado assures his constituents of his unwavering support and steadfast commitment to championing their cause and advocating for lasting peace and security in the constituency.