Over 4,500 vulnerable persons and the needy in Adamawa Southern Senatorial District have the cause to smile as Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, ensured the Federal Government’s food palliatives reached the targeted beneficiaries right at their doorsteps.
In an effort to cushion the hardship of Nigerians as a result of fuel subsidy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration saw the need to distribute food items to the worst-hit masses through their political representatives at the red chambers.
Upon receiving the grains for distribution, Senator Binos Dauda wasted no time in putting effective measures in place for the smooth distribution of the items to the less privileged, the needy and the elderly in Adamawa South across its 9 LGAs.
Speaking shortly before the flag-off of the distribution exercise, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, disclosed that 4,500 people would benefit from the 300 bags of rice and 1000 bags of maize, noting that the palliative was meant for the needy and the elderly in the society.
The federal lawmaker said that it was a programme by the Federal Government aimed at bringing succour to the needy and the elderly in rural communities across the 909 Senatorial Districts and 360 Federal House of Representatives Constituencies, where he debunked reports that Senators were given money by the Federal Government to buy grains for Christmas.
He explained, “In the supplementary budget of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that was submitted to the National Assembly in October 2023, there was a provision in the allocation of the Ministry of Agriculture for grains to be sourced and distributed nationwide. That process was not completed, at least for Adamawa Southern Senatorial District until barely two weeks ago, precisely on 12th January 2024”.
Senator Binos commended the MD of Alkaf Global Investment Resources Limited; the contracting firm for the supply of grains to Adamawa South, for supplying the food items within a short period of time, adding that the company had successfully done a great job.
In his words, “I want to commend the MD of Alkaf for ensuring that the rice to be distributed was sourced from Adamawa State, here in Adamawa Southern Senatorial Zone. It was sourced from the rice mill in Gyawana, Lamurde LGA.
“You see, even indirectly, our communities are benefitting from the contract. The rice was local rice that was grown in that environment, milled and bagged in that environment. I really commend her for this initiative”.
According to the Senator, in order to make the distribution effective, he involved the six first class chiefs in his Zone as well as partnered with the Adamawa State DSS who would monitor the distribution.
He stated, “I want to use this medium to thank the six first class royal highnesses who have agreed for us to use their channels for the smooth and effective distribution to the intended needy. I also want to thank the State Director of DSS for agreeing to partner with us in terms of monitoring the exercise.
“We intent to take these grains to the palaces of our royal highnesses. But there is an exception in Mayo-Belwa LGA. The palace of the traditional ruler in-charge of Mayo-Belwa is in Yola, and Yola is in another Constituency.
“So we have decided that in Mayo-Belwa, we would organise ourselves and effect the distribution. What I did was to nominate one person from each Ward in Mayo-Belwa to generate 30 names that would benefit, and it has been done successfully”.
While calling on his constituents to be patient as the palliatives would not go round, Senator Binos reminded them that it is impossible for the Federal Government to meet the needs of the masses at once.
Also speaking, the Managing Director (MD) of Alkaf Global Investment Resources Limited, Victoria Bilkisu Abubakar, said that it was a privilege given to her company to supply the grains, where she described the exercise as a huge success.
She stated, “These grains are palliatives from the Federal Government and they are meant for the poor of the poor to alleviate the suffering of the people in the society.
“I want to commend Senator Binos because he always thinks of his people. At times, when we buy items for the poor, he will say it is not enough, and from his pocket, he will buy more. He has his people at heart. He has been doing so much for the benefit of his people”.
In his remarks, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Hon. Ibrahim Haruna, expressed satisfaction with the measures being put in place for the distribution of the palliatives by Senator Binos, describing the process as transparent.
The 3000 bags of rice and 1000 bags of maize of 25kg have already been taken to their various communities and are expected to be distributed to the needy and the elderly within the week.
