Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has taken adequate steps towards ensuring that only vulnerable people benefit from the 30, 000, 10kg bags of rice donated to the state by the Dangote Foundation.

Governor Sule made this known while flagging off the distribution of the palliative meant to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic challenges at the Government House on Tuesday.

As part of such measures, the Governor warned that no government official will benefit from the gesture as the rice is meant only for vulnerable people in the state.

While appreciating the Dangote Foundation for the initiative, with one million bags of 10kg of rice expected to be shared across the country, he particularly appreciated the Foundation for recognizing Nasarawa State to be among the 10 states with the highest amount of bags of rice received.

“This is to thank the Dangote Foundation because of the recognition being given to Nasarawa State. We are not one of the most populated states. But because the Dangote Foundation believes we have vulnerable people in the state, that is the reason why we are among the top ten states receiving the rice,” he stated.

Governor Sule announced that each of the 13 local government areas of the state has been earmarked to receive 2308 bags for onwards distribution to identified vulnerable persons but that as additional measures to prevent diversion, a number of bags were set aside for identified groups namely JNI, JIBWIS, CAN, media and security agencies, as well as People Living With Disabilities.

He explained that this measure was meant to further remove pressure at the point of distribution at the various local government areas.

“In Nasarawa, we are making a little adjustment to ensure it gets to the desired people. The government is not taking a single bag as we are not part of the beneficiaries. We have taken ourselves out. However, we are taking some associations out so that we can give them their own right now. JNI, 500 bags, Jibwis 1, 500 bags, Jibwis 2, 500 bags, FOMWAN, 250, CAN, 250, CAN women wing, 100, PLWD, 150, security agencies, 250, media 250, labour union, 250, totalling 3000 bags,” he said.

The Governor added that, except for Lafia Local Government Area, whose quantity of rice is being distributed, 12 trucks loaded with rice would head for the remaining councils where the distribution would take place at the palace of the paramount traditional, with commissioners, special advisers as part of the committee that would distribute the items, under the supervision of the Chairman of the local government.

“This is a month of giving rather than receiving. That is the reason we said that as far as government is concerned, we are not keeping one bag in Government House for anybody. Instead, we are distributing it directly to the local government so that vulnerable people can benefit,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Foundation, Abdullahi Rilwan, General Manager, Community Relations, Dangote Sugar factory in Awe, said the gesture is in line with the Philanthropy of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group.

Rilwan said one million, 10kg bags of rice are being simultaneously distributed across the country in order to further cushion the hardships being experienced by the people, especially during the Ramadan period.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, PhD commended Governor Sule for his transparency in handling the affairs of the state.

“This state is guided and assisted by your transparency. That reminds me of what you told me two nights ago. That as you are traveling, not even myself should have a drop of grain of this rice. This rice is for the vulnerable and it is expected that those in position of authority are going to be the ones in charge of the distribution,” he said.

To further ensure that only the vulnerable in the state benefit from the rice, tight security was mounted by the gate leading to the Government House, with stern looking operatives dutifully checking outgoing vehicles to ensure that none of the Dangote rice is squirreled out.