Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, claims that the federal government has given the State N2 billion as a palliative fund to lessen the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on the populace.
Speaking on Thursday in the state capital, Port Harcourt, Fubara claimed that Rivers also received 16,800 sacks of rice from the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF). The governor noted that the removal of subsidy, which has caused significant suffering in nearly everyone’s lives and businesses, has placed the nation at a crossroads.
Fubara reiterated that states, the federal government, and other well-intentioned people are offering assistance as a result of the situation. In that order, the NGF decided to provide roughly 16,800 bags of rice to each state to ease the situation.
“We are also in receipt of N2 billion which is part of the relief measure. It is not just about sharing money, but applying it to something that will touch the lives of those who are in dire need, those going through much pressure at this particular moment.
“We will come up with a decision very soon, and we will give you a directive on what to do when the time comes.”
Fubara cautioned the committee in charge of allocating the palliatives to exercise fairness and justice, stressing that the supplies should only be supplied to those who are eligible. According to him, the issue is about the state, not the party.
“You are not the LG chairman of the PDP but the LG chairman of your entire LGA. 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 need this support.”
Desmond Akawor, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State and chair of the palliative committee, was chosen without consideration for politics, according to Fubara.
He continued that the PDP state chairman was given the task because he is “quite experienced in handling these kinds of assignments, and he does them very well.”
