The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the state’s 34 local governments, has allocated over ten billion naira towards the purchase of grains for distribution to its vulnerable residents during the Ramadan.
The development was made public on Sunday in katsina through a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed.
According to him, Governor Dikko Radda confirmed the initiatives during the inauguration of committees, at both state and local government levels, tasked with overseeing the distribution process.
According to the Governor, the initiative aims to feed an estimated 72,200 people each day of the Ramadan which he said translated to providing food assistance to approximately 2.1 million (2,166,000) residents throughout the period.
Muhammed added that the initiative as announced by the Governor , includes subsidizing the price of maize, millet, and guinea corn to N20,000 per bag.
He added that Government had also capped the purchase of grains at ten measures per buyer, to ensure equitable access.
Governor Radda also reportedly disclosed that 33,000 elderly and vulnerable families selected from across the state will “receive free of charge, food items along with some cash donations.”
He emphasized the importance of accountability in the distribution process, directing local government committees to remit proceeds from grain sales to the state committee for deposit into government accounts.
The statement added that committees at the local level are also responsible for monitoring cooking points and overseeing distribution at the ward level.
The Governor, according to the statement, had appointed Mallam Khalil Musa Kofar Bai as chairman of the committee while other members include representatives from various councils and organizations.
The committee is tasked with ensuring effective coordination of the exercise across the state.