By Ekanem Asuquo
Beneficiaries of the Federal Government palliatives currently distributed by Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) have applauded the agency for a peaceful and effective distribution system.
According to them, the method adopted by SEMA has gone a long way in ensuring that the palliatives get to the targeted beneficiaries seamlessly without hiccups.
Speaking, the leader of persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Cross River, Stephen Okuniba, lauded the agency for the humane consideration accorded to those living with disability noting that the gesture has given them a sense of belonging.
In his words, “I want to appreciate President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu for deliberate efforts to ameliorate current hardship ravaging the country. This relief is highly appreciated and the fact that we were listed as targeted beneficiaries has given us a sense of belonging.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Cross River, Comrade Gregory Ulayi, expressed appreciation to the state government for ensuring that state civil servants were captured for the palliatives.
“We met SEMA to inspect the arrival of the palliatives. We discovered that NLC and TUC were not captured on the list from the National Emergency Management Agency, unlike NULGE.
“But I want to thank the DG for his proactive disposition. He was able to get additional grains from the state government with a view of ensuring that other critical stakeholders were captured in relief incentives. Kudos also must be given to Governor Bassey Otu for facilitating the procurement of additional grains.
“We got about two thousand and twenty bags of rice, beans and garri all in 10kg sizes. We intend to share it across MDAs to enable our workforce of over twelve thousand to get a share.”
Commenting on the progress of distribution, State Director-General of SEMA, Apostle James Koko Anam disclosed that, “To ensure a hitch-free distribution exercise, we had to develop a template tailored to guarantee that the palliatives get to the targeted beneficiaries enumerated by NEMA. We also have a register where every representative of the various must sign against the items collected to promote accountability and transparency.
“We are hugely grateful to the state government for funding the procurement of additional funds to augment the consignment we received from the federal government. This has enabled us to extend the relief package to most of our people cutting across groups and individuals, especially the less privileged. We know it’s not enough, but at least it will cushion the present situation on ground while the government thrives to address the root cause of the prevailing economic challenges confronting the country.
“Groups who have taken delivery of their allocation include persons with disabilities, women associations, orphanage homes, royal fathers, as well as staff of local government councils and their administrators.
“Others include the Organised Labour, state pensioners, security outfits, student unions, youth groups, CRISPON, Red Cross inter-party affairs council, faith-based organisations and political support groups.”