The Katsina State Government, in partnership with the state’s 34 local governments, has allocated over seven billion naira towards the purchase of grains for distribution to the less privileged for the forthcoming holy month of Ramadan.
In addition to this, the state government earmarked three billion naira for the procurement of food items, including twenty-five-kilogram bags of rice, to be distributed free of charge to the elderly, disabled individuals, and other vulnerable members of society.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda confirmed these initiatives during the inauguration of committees at both state and local government levels tasked with overseeing the distribution process.
Over 33,000 (thirty-three thousand) vulnerable and elderly individuals across the 361 electoral wards within the state have been identified to receive free rice and stipends to support their soup ingredients.
To ensure equitable access, the government has capped the purchase of grains at ten measures per buyer, with each bag of maize, millet, and guinea corn priced at N20,000 (twenty thousand naira) below the current market rate.
Governor Radda 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. Committees at the local level are also responsible for monitoring cooking points and overseeing distribution at the ward level.
To that effect, Governor Radda appointed Mallam Khalil Musa Kofar Bai as chairman of the committee. Other members of the committee includes representatives from various councils and organizations serving as members. The committee is tasked with ensuring effective coordination of the exercise across the state.
