The Abia State Government has stated that it has not received the 20 truckloads of rice purportedly distributed by the Federal Government as part of a palliative measure. Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, informed Vanguard that no such shipment had arrived in the state and that there had been no communication from the Federal Government regarding this palliative.
Kanu dismissed reports of the Federal Government distributing 50kg bags of rice for N40,000 as false. He emphasized that the state does not engage with rumors or speculation. According to Kanu, there is a standard protocol for federal communications regarding palliatives, and no such message has been received by Abia State.
He clarified that any funds or resources received by the state are a result of performance-based evaluations by entities like the World Bank, rather than direct federal disbursements. Kanu noted that claims of the Federal Government distributing N570 billion to states are misleading.
Regarding the 20 trucks of rice claimed to be distributed for hunger relief, the Governor could not verify that Abia State had received such aid. He acknowledged that while various palliatives have been provided over time, specifics about the trucks of rice could not be confirmed.
The Governor assured that any palliatives received by the state are distributed fairly, focusing on the most vulnerable groups within local wards and governments. Additionally, he highlighted the state’s efforts to support low-income civil servants and businesses through various initiatives. Recently, the state government provided a N1 billion interest-free revolving loan to 1,000 businesses, which is considered a form of palliative support.
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