Akeredolu dissociates self from governors to reject FG’s rice

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has described as untrue that he is among the state governors in the South West that rejected the palliatives donated by the Federal Government.

He however said the palliatives would be distributed to the people of Ondo state in few days time.

1,800 bags of rice and 700 gallons of vegetable oil were the palliatives sent to Ondo by the federal government through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management as part of measures to cushion the effect of the lockdown in the country.

Akeredolu who spoke through his
Special Adviser on Public and Inter-Governmental Relations , Ms. Olubunmi Ademosu on Monday said the state government had no plan to return the rice to the Federal Government as being circulated in the social media.

Describing the report as unfounded, embarrassing, shocking and false, Akeredolu said it was unfair to say that he joined hands with the Oyo State government to return the rice.

He said the committee has commenced the repackaging of the rice for onward distribution to the vulnerable in the state as the rice has been tested and confirmed to be edible.

According to him, “We have no plans to return the rice, and such report never emanated from the state government or any member of the palliative committee.

“The state government had commended the gestures of the Federal government towards cushioning the effect of the lock down across the country. It behoves on us to appreciate the gestures rather than condemning it.

“The items are in good shape, tested and good for consumption. The expiry date are boldly written on the rice, we cannot distribute what is harmful to our people.

“We don’t want to lose them, irrespective of their political leaning, we will not sacrifice the people we govern by giving them expired or products that are not good for human consumption.

“The onus is on the governor to protect the people of the state, their safety and lives. We have cooked part of the rice to be sure they are edible and good for consumption

“We must not create another problem while finding solution to one, we have tested the rice, checked the expiry date and I can confirm to you that the rice are of good quality and good for consumption”

Ondo State Coordinator of YESSO, Mr. Bankole Olaoluwa, said they have provided the state with Social Register of poor and vulnerable by capturing over 20,000 heads of households, which would aid the distribution of the palliatives.

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