Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has tasked the newly inaugurated 18-man committee to ensure equity and integrity in the distribution of oil subsidy palliatives to the citizenry.
He noted that the palliatives which would be distributed in two weeks, is to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on the people in the state.
Inaugurating the committee on Wednesday in Uyo, the governor asked them to provide in detail, the measures on how the palliatives would be distributed to positively affect the target population of the poor across the state and ensure success in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the items.
Members of the committee are the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, as chairman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong as Secretary, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Sunny James and 15 other members drawn from the government, Organised Labour, and civil society organisations, as members.
Eno, who disclosed that the state took delivery of 3,000 bags of rice from the federal government, promised to add to the federal government’s palliatives.
“Apart from the recommendations, we have to know how you want us to make it trigger down so that you will also be part of the implementation not just for Civil Servants but for Akwa Ibomites generally, particularly to the most vulnerable, those who need these things.
“I am going to make sure I do whatever it takes to ensure that we cushion the effects of all of these but it has to be within the capacity of the state government,” he stated.
The governor thanked the organised labour for the cooperation enjoyed by his administration since the assumption of office, especially in ensuring peaceful conduct during the August 2 protest.
