Fuel: Each state gets N5bn, truckloads of rice, maize palliatives

Fuel: Each state gets N5bn, truckloads of rice, maize palliatives

The Federal Government has approved N5 billion grant for each of the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory Abuja as palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.

The National Economic Council stated this on Thursday after its meeting president over by Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

Also approved for each state are five trucks of rice as well as maize.

Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State said the approval of N5 billion and trucks of rice and grains were part of measures to ease the tough living conditions of the people caused by the subsidy removal.

He said NEC specially approved 40,000 bags of maize to be distributed to states.

NEC also directed the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to distribute food items to states sharing border with Niger Republic over the recent political instability in the country.

Zulum said the states are to purchase 100,000 bags of rice and beans, among other items.

The governor said that NEC mandated NEMA to distribute food items to state sharing borders with Niger Republic.

Also speaking to newsmen, Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, said that the review of social register was in progress.

He said Nigeria was already having refugees from Niger Republic, which he said was affecting the distribution of palliatives.

However, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, said only N2 billion had so far been given to states instead of the approved N5 billion.