From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Special Adviser to Gov Charles Soludo on Political Matters, Dr Alex Obiogbolu has insisted that all the sections of the society are being carried along in the ongoing distribution of the petroleum subsidy removal palliatives.
Dr Obiogbolu who was reacting to a statement by the vice chairman, of Anambra South senatorial district of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said that it was the first time in the history of the state that the welfare of the vulnerable persons was being vigorously pursued.
The Special Adviser stated, “I wish to remind the APC Anambra State that these Bags of Rice are not intended to be shared along political lines but rather to alleviate the suffering in our society by targeting the most vulnerable”.
Dr Obiogbolu stated that all the Chairmen of the Local Government Chapters of the 18 political parties are members of the Local Government Supervisory Committees which include representatives of President- Generals of Communities and Traditional Rulers at the Local Government. Their functions are to supervise and ensure that they get to the vulnerable from all the kindred (Umunna).
“At the wards, only village chairpersons and the Clergy constitute the ward Distribution Committees with the Ward Councillor as Team Lead. Interestingly, the vice chairman of APC in Anambra South senatorial district wants to be involved in the distribution of the palliatives at his local government area”, he said.
“Gov Soludo has continuously insisted on the palliatives getting to the vulnerable persons in society irrespective of political party affiliations. He once again demonstrated his love for the neglected persons when he recently visited Olumbanasa community in Anambra West LGA, a feat never achieved by any of his predecessors.
“Despite the 2 billion naira provided by the Federal government for procurement of rice of which 48 percent is a loan to every state, Governor Soludo has provided additional palliatives that are more than 5 billion naira.
“These include the payment of 12,000 naira for four months to all state government workers and pensioners, the provision of total free education for primary and junior secondary schools in the state, support grants to mission schools in the state, and provision of free antenatal services and free delivery,” Dr Obiogbolu stressed.