The second phase of free food distribution to the vulnerable, an initiative of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has commenced in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
Governor Umo Eno at the height of the economic challenges facing the country assured the vulnerable citizens of his administration’s determination to cater for their welfare.
The programme, which is anchored by the State Bulk Purchase Agency, saw beneficiaries who had confirmed their names on the social register receive their palliatives in exchange for food vouchers.
Flagging off the second phase of the parliatve distribution recently, the general manager of the State Bulk Purchase Agency, Hon. Uyime Etim, explained that the Agency is relying on the World Bank endorsed register for the vulnerable to choose the beneficiaries.
According to him, “The governor’s personal assistants in the council wards were directed to issue vouchers to only those in the register and all they do is to come here, authenticate their voucher and return home with the food stuffs.”
Those who had not yet received vouchers were seen queuing up to collect theirs, before proceeding to receive their palliatives.
The event, which took place at the secondary school, Nung Udoe, was witnessed by the transition committee chairman and members in the area and other stakeholders.
The chairman of the Agency, Dr. Dan Akpan explained that the Food Security Programme is designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship on the most vulnerable members in the society and under the current phase, the agency directly takes the food to the respective local government areas on different days for the beneficiaries.
Also speaking, a former member of the House of Representatives and Media Consultant to the governor, Mr. Aniekan Umana, said the parliatve distribution is timely owing to the prevailing economic situation in the country and commendd the governor for his humane disposition towards the needy.
Umana highlighted that the foodstuffs were meant for Akwa Ibom people devoid of political inclination and strictly for those who are truly vulnerable.
Residents of Ibesikpo Asutan expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for his compassionate leadership and commitment to his campaign promises.
“We are thankful for Governor Eno’s kindness and concern for the welfare of his people,” said Mr Solomon Eyo, Special Assistant to the governor on Multi Media and Web Management.
“Governor Eno is a blessing to our state; his generosity and care for the poor are exemplary. We pray God to continue to guide and bless him”, said Mrs. Grace Akpan, a beneficiary.
“Governor Eno’s food distribution initiative demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the people’s welfare,” said the commissioner for agriculture and rural development, Offiong Offor, who said, “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that no one is left behind.”
The food distribution exercise is expected to continue across the state on a daily basis, bringing relief to thousands of households.
While the exercise is greeted by jubilation among the beneficiaries, analysts criticize the policy, saying it is not seen as a route to ameliorate the alarming poverty and food scarcity in the oil-rich state.
According to an All Progressive Congress chieftain, Obong Udo Akpabio, the the exercise is a fraud and a collosal waste of state funds. He said the governor should have injected the money into rice and garri production, which the state has sufficient land, fertile soil and manpower to produce in commercial quantity.
He questioned the selective template and described the policy as a vocal expression of political cluelessness and leadership failure.
How long will the beneficiaries, who are members and supporters of the PDP, eat the rice? Is it not better to teach the poor how to fish, than giving them this pot of food? he asked.
Others berated the governor for not having and listening to professional advice from technocrats.
