It is no longer strange that there is hardship in the country. Everybody is feeling the pitch and everybody is complaining loud and nobody is free from it. Even those who are rich are also crying because they are not free in the midst of the majority of the poor and hungry Nigerians.
In the same vein, it is also not strange that the government is trying one way or the other to find ways to ameliorate the sufferings of the citizens.
Yes, so many ways have been advocated by individuals, groups and organisations to ensure that food get to the citizens especially now that prices of food stuffs have hit beyond the roof tops.
Recently, the Delta State Government distributed 940 bags of rice and 150 bags of gari as palliative to the 11 Wards in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. According to the report, the distribution of the food items of 25 Kilogram bags was supervised at the Oshimili South Secretariat in Asaba by a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu.
This is not really the first time that palliatives are being distributed to the people, but this time a lot of things need to be highlighted in the distribution exercise which had led the masses complaining that the food does not get to them and especially the targeted groups, individuals and Organisations and hunger continues to bite harder. Many people had been wondering what the problem is.
During the distribution exercise, the lawmaker leaved up to her biddings and told the people that the food items were meant for the vulnerable residents across the 11 Wards of the council area and not for only the rich people or the political class, she stressed.
“Take the food items to your various wards, distribute and let the people know that we are ready to serve them. And at the end of the day, let them be the ones who will speak for us and not us speaking for ourselves “.
She continued, “Let us be sincere to God by ensuring that we distribute the food items to the people because anything we are doing, we are doing it for God and that is not to say that you cannot give to your poor relatives but you know the right thing to do “.
Anyafulu who is also the chairman of the palliative committee in the local government area told the palliative committee members to also get to the disabled in their midst because they are part of the society and should be carried along in all they do.
The lawmaker while commending both the Federal and the State Government for the food items, noted that the initiative was aimed at addressing the ongoing food crisis in the country.
During the exercise, Anyafulu disclosed that the distribution committee members were not politicians but were carefully selected to ensure transparency in the distribution process, adding that the members are the representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), traditional rulers, youth leaders among others.
Speaking on the issue, Mr. Emordi Obiora from Ward 1, Oko Community commended the state government and assured that the items would be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries.
Others who spoke commended the Federal and State Government for the food items and, however, observed that the government should critically look into the way and manner the food and other palliatives are being distributed to the people in order to make sure that it gets to the right people.
“The government meant well for the people but the food items do not get to the beneficiaries and nothing is being done to stop those involved in sabotaging government efforts.
The composition of this Palliative Committee is good and we are watching to see how far they can go. If they perform well and the food get to the people, “ To God be the glory “.
They observed that if the government want the impact of the Palliatives to be felt, that they should review their distribution network, adding that if this is done, the efforts of the various levels of government would be realized, saying that “there is pure sabotage of government laudable efforts and wondered why the authorities are keeping mute about the whole thing. “
They said the government has all it takes to deal with the situation , apprehend and prosecute those involved in the criminal acts or are they above the law, they queried “.
Truth is that Hon. Bridget Anyafulu has spoken and she has spoken the minds of majority of Nigerians. The good people of this nation may have been wondering with what is happening in the country and without solution to it in a civilized and knowledgeable people such as ours.
One thing is clear in this matter, the lawmaker counsel to the food committee says it all. It is also in line with what the former President, Goodluck Jonathans wife told Nigerians in midst of crises when they were in power when she reminded Nigerians that “there is God oooh”.
Hon. Anyafulu has also told the food committee that there is God ooh,. Yes, the message is very clear “let those who have ears, let them hear “ If they want to continue to divert the food for the populace to very few hands, let it be and God will find them out. What people do not know is that God knows how to solve Nigerians problem. And in this case, God will also solve the food crisis naturally.
As Hon. Anyafulu is talking to the Oshimili South Local Government Area food committee, It is assumed she was also talking to the various committees of that nature in the country. This is because what is happening in the council area is not limited to the area. It is a nationwide problem. We can only hope and pray that with God on the side of Nigerians, the food would get to the targeted audience. “I come in Peace “.
