The Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and member representing Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro Federal Constituency of Kogi, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Ali Halims on Friday, distributed the Federal Government palliative to about 10,000 constituents drawn from the three Local Government Areas of his jurisdiction.
The ceremony of the events which were organised in partnership with the Nigeria Home Rice LTD, Onyido Nigeria LTD as well as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was held at the facilitators country home, Ankpa as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu Yusuf performed the Flagg off for rice distribution and Inauguration of solar powered street lights respectively.
Speaking in his opening remark at the event, Rep. Halims said the Federal Government is concerned with the hardship currently affecting people across the country and as a Principal officer of the National Assembly, he will continue to work out modalities with the executives to make life better for everyone.
He added that “no member of the House of Representatives has been given money as against speculations in the media stressing that the rice and other grains were facilitated through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
On his part, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, ably represented by His Deputy, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo described the palliative distribution as a noble act. He commended Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims for not hoarding the palliatives adding that serving the people is a collective effort and must not be left to only one arm of the government.”
On the honour of the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly while inaugurating the solar powered lights urged the people of Ankpa Federal Constituency to guard Hon. Halims’ mandate with all jealousy. He enlightened his audience about the affluence of the office of the Deputy Majority Leader. He described the office as a rare privilege for Kogi State and expressed optimism that the people will feel it in no distant time.
A mammoth crowd of Constituents, majority of whom were aged men and women gathered as the template was read to capture over 10,000 constituents in the distribution of different grains and food items which includes rice, beans and garri.
One of the beneficiaries who is a retired civil servant, Paul Achimugu, said, “I am happy to have benefited from this. It is unexpected. I was at home yesterday (Thursday) when they told me about it and I only came as an on-looker. I appreciate it and pray this will not be the last.”
Earlier, the All Progressives Congress’ Kogi East Zonal Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Nasiru Alfa appreciated the lawmaker for not hiding the palliatives from the constituents. He encouraged the people to rally round the party at all times and particularly called on the people of Ankpa to re-embrace the APC in a view to attract more dividends of democracy.
It can be recalled that to cushion the harsh effects of the country’s current economic condition, despite a series of ongoing policy reforms by the Nation’s Economic council, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered the distribution of palliative items worth two hundred million naira to senators and palliative items worth one hundred million naira to House of Representatives members for onward distribution to their constituencies.
