Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has inaugurate a committee to share N2Billion and 16,800 bags of rice received from the Federal Government by the state as part of palliative to relieve the people of the state of bitting effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
Fubara, who spoke on Thursday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said Rivers also got 16,800 bags of rice from the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).
He said; “The country is at a cross-road because of the removal of subsidy which has brought much hardship in the lives and businesses of virtually everyone.
“For that reason, states, the federal government and other well-meaning individuals are providing succour under the circumstance. In that order, the NGF in their bid to alleviate the situation, decided to distribute to each state, about 16,800 bags of rice.”
Fubara noted that the N2Billion is part of the relief measure and not about sharing but to be applied to do things that will touch lives of people in need in the state.
The Governor further, said, directive on what decision to make will be disclosed to the committee in due time.
However, He charged all local government bosses to avoid being partisan in the sharing of the palliative noting that it not about any party, but to the entire people of their local areas.
“I won’t tell you what to do, but I think it should be a communal formula. My major charge to you is to ensure that in the course of discharging this duty, don’t tag it party. Though it may not solve the entire problem, it will touch those who really need this support”, he noted.
Fubara explained his appointment of the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Desmond Akawo, saying; “It is not because he is PDP Chairman, but because he is quite knowledgeable in handling these kinds of assignments and he does them very well. I have also taken the time to bring members of the EXCO in on this team.
The governor asked the committee to take the assignment “very seriously” because their action would rub off on the government.
