The Jigawa Government has approved N134 million for the purchase of five trucks of rice for distribution to less privileged people as part of his palliative measures to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy among people in the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, this was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, Mr Sagir Musa, while speaking with journalists on the resolutions of the State Executive Council meeting in Dutse.
Musa made it clear that the approval was to complement the efforts of the Federal Government which donated five trucks of rice to the state government for distribution as palliative to alleviate the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The executive council has deliberated on the Federal Government intervention with five trucks of rice, received through SEMA for distribution across the 27 LGAs as palliative to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The removal has caused a hike in the prices of food items and other commodities.
“The council has also approved the purchase of additional five trucks of rice at the cost of N134 million to cover more beneficiaries,” he said.
The commissioner stated further that the council also considered and approved another empowerment programme for 1,500 young entrepreneurs running existing businesses across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
He noted that each of the beneficiaries will receive N50,000 to enhance their businesses.
According to Musa, the Ministry of Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, in collaboration with the state Youths Employment and Employment Agency would implemented the programme
He further stated that the council approved supporting 1,000 SMEs with N100,000 each, under its J-Cares, a World Bank-supported programme.
The commissioner cited that only those SMEs that made the World Bank’s criteria of being registered, have bank accounts, BVN and have at least two employees.
Musa pointed out that the state government will continue to initiate policies and programmes that will uplift the living standard of the people of the state.
NAN reported that the government, in its maiden executive council meeting on July 26, approved N50 million to empower 1,000 women traders, to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on their businesses.
