Hardship: Joy as Sokoto Government Sells Rice at 55% Discount as Governor Aliyu Warns Against Politicizing Exercise
By Juliet Vincent
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu has inaugurated the State Committee for the sale of rice at 55 per cent discount, warning its members against politicizing the exercise.
Governor Aliyu said the gesture is aimed at assisting the people of the state, irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic differences to cushion the hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
This was contained in a Tuesday statement by Press Secretary to Sokoto State Governor, Abubakar Bawa.
“Let me warn here that the rice is for all the people of the state and should be sold at the approved rate of 55% discount.
“As Muslims, we were taught to always show mercy to our fellow human beings, irrespective of whatever differences we may have.” he added.
The Governor further said the commodity would be sold across the 244 wards in the state, with a view to ensuring that the targeted people benefit from the noble gesture.
He recalled various palliatives introduced by his administration since its inception geared towards making life easier for the common man.
According to him, they included the distribution of hundreds bags of rice millet and maize as well as the distribution of free fertilizer and other farm inputs to the people of the state.
He assured the people of the state that the gesture would be sustained until the economic situation improves.
He said, “I, therefore, urge the well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies in the state to partner with the state government in this direction.”
He called on Ulamas in the state to preach on the importance on assisting the needy.
Governor Aliyu reminded the members of the committee that their appointment was based on their track records, sincerity and honesty,hence the need for them to be just and fair in discharging their assignment.
He charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them and prayed for them to succeed.
Responding, the Chairman, State
Committee on the Sale of Food Items and Other Essential Commodities, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, assured the Governor that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state and assured that the committee would operate in line with the guidelines given to it by the state government.
The committee drew its membership from different quarters such as the academia, public sector, security agencies and anti-graft agencies like EFCC as well as ICPC, among others.
