Gov Eno Releases Modalities For Implementing Food Subsidy Programme Ahead Of His
Assent To Bulk Purchase Agency Law
By Emmanuel Uffot
In furtherance of his resolve to ameliorate the suffering of citizens of the state, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has outlined modalities for the implementation of the State Government’s food subsidy initiative saying that the State will ensure that the efforts at ameliorating the harsh economic realities are not thwarted by middlemen.
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He explained that the Social Register, will serve as a document for the implementation of the bulk purchase intervention, assuring everyone, that activities of middlemen will be checked to enable the poorest of the poor, according to him, are prime targets of the initiative, to benefit maximally from the programme.
Governor Eno was addressing the congregation at All Nations Christian Ministry Int’l, where he worshipped alongside his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Patience Eno and some State functionaries during the First Sunday service.
The Governor said, registered vendors will set up redemption centres, while government will issue targeted citizens with food vouchers, which will allow for discounted purchases and to redeem its worth at the approved redemption centres.
According to him, “We want this thing to get to the real people. If this thing is not properly managed, the people would buy it, hoard and resell it at a higher price again to the masses. We know that as we are planning, some people are also planning how they will make money out of it. So that is the problem and reason why many government programmes don’t succeed some times.
“One of the things we believe we can do, is to use the social register. So if you don’t have your name in the social register in your place, please go and do it.
“What we may likely introduce, is a food voucher, and we are going to have redemption centres all across this State, all across the market. So when you get the food voucher, you now take it to the redemption centres where you will get the foodstuff. Those managing the centres will bring the vouchers back to us and then get their balance with some logistics and profit,” the Governor explained.
The Governor therefore warned mischief makers, to desist from attempting to thwart government’s good intention to stabilize the cost of staple food in the state, saying that, anyone caught, would face the full weight of the law.
“For those thinking of forging vouchers, we are doing security printing, to keep out fake vouchers. For those working to sabotage the process, we will pick them up and hand them over to the police. Every shop will have a way of verifying the vouchers, so don’t think about it”.
He however stressed that, whatever intervention measures the government is taking in terms of food subsidy, is for a short term, and called on all citizens to return to the farm and join the State Government’s campaign to boost agriculture and food sufficiency.
The Governor who is highly celebrated for his managerial ability, assured that the Ministry of Agriculture will make farm inputs available for cultivation and will be ready to offtake from farmers that will be willing to sell their surplus harvest.
In demonstration of empathy for the people in view of current economic realities, Governor Umo Eno stated that, anyone willing to identify with him on his birthday coming up in April, should convert their intended gifts items to staple food and share same to the less privileged on his behalf.
the topic: “Yet I will not forget you,” taken from Isaiah 49:16, Governor Eno admonished Christians to be firm with their faith in God, and with the knowledge that, God will never forget nor forsake them.
The Governor cautioned against a faith that becomes shaky in the face of tribulations and charged them to be courageous and faithful.
It could be recalled that in line with Governor Eno’s desire to promote food security amidst hardship in the land, the Governor has advised indigenes to go back to farm. Apart from setting up a model mechanised farm in Ikot Edibon and Afia Nsit Atai, he has also instructed all local government areas to allocate plots of land for farming.
