The Bauchi government says it has earmarked N2 billion for procurement of 88,889 bags of rice for distribution to vulnerable persons in the state.
The state government also approved N800 million for payment of gratuities to retirees.
Hajiya Hajara Wanka, the Commissioner for Bumanitarian and Disaster Management, stated this at a news conference on Monday in Bauchi.
She said that N2 billion has been provided to purchase 88,889 bags of rice as part palliative to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
Wanka said the state recieved N2 billion out of the N5 billion approved by the Federal Government.
“Gov. Bala Mohammed had directed the Palliative Sharing Committee to come up with the best ways that the most vulnerable people will benefit.
“The sum of N2 billion has been earmarked for the purchase of 88,889 25kg bags of rice at the rate of N23,500 each,” she said, adding that the committee also drafted the sharing formula of the remaining N3 billion.
The commissioner said the committee proposed N500 million to be release to State Pension Board and N300 million to the Local Government Pension Board for payment of gratuities.
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“To those in active service, they have been owed for about 12 years, specifically leave grant.
“It has been agreed that the sum of N680 million be earmarked for the payment of leave grant of 2023.
“Health workers are not left out. We have health volunteers across the state and 1,000 of them will be given unconditional cash transfer for six months totalling N60 million.
“One of the most vulnerable targets which is the people living with disabilities, women social development workers and non-partisan women groups would also be considered.
“They will also be given unconditional cash transfer to the tone of N325 million”.
Wanka said that N76 million has been allocated for payment of unconditional cash transfer to the youths, adding that proactive measures had been evolved to ease transportation difficulties experienced by students.
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She said that 10 new buses would be purchased and deployed in Bauchi metropolis, Azare, Ningi and Misau.
“We suggested a model for sharing and we proposed for consideration of the numbers of polling unit as communities because it is through polling units that you will get to the grassroots and reach the deserving population.
“To avoid anything political in the distribution process, it will be headed by traditional and religious leaders and monitored by the local government authorities”. (NAN)