TheCable

Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, says the state government will distribute food items worth N1.6 billion as palliatives to ease the burden brought on residents by the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The governor spoke while addressing a crowd of protesters at the Government House in Kano on Monday.

Since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, the cost of living in the country has gone up.

On August 17, the federal government announced a N5 billion palliative for each state of the federation, including the federal capital territory (FCT), to cushion the impact of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

In addition to the palliative plans announced by the federal government, a number of state governments have also unveiled measures to ease the burden on the citizens.

Yusuf said the state government has received “five trailers of rice” from the federal government, noting that more food items have also been bought.

He added that the items “are being delivered to Kano” and will be distributed once they arrive in the state.

“We have received palliatives of five trailers of rice from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Also, the federal government has approved for states who wish to buy food items and sell to people at cheaper prices to do so,” the governor said.

“Because we care about our poor ones, we have bought food items worth N1.6 billion.

“The food items include millet, maize, rice and also fertilizer. We have bought them, and they are being delivered to Kano by God’s grace. Once we receive them all, we will create a scheme in one week’s time on how the food items would be distributed to help the people.

“A bag of rice or maize that is sold at N40,000 would be bought by the state government and shared to you for free.

“For the people in the rural areas, there are plans in place.”