National Assembly members facing public criticism regarding the controversial Federal Government palliatives for distribution in their respective constituencies have found a resolution. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has initiated the issuance of a bill of quantity to successful contractors responsible for procuring and distributing the palliatives to federal constituencies.
The bill of quantity, observed by reporters, delineates the components of the palliatives, including “62 bags parboiled long grain rice with a golden standard, enriched with vitamins and minerals, free from fat, stone-free, not contaminated in any way, and packaged in polypropylene laminated bags.”
The controversy arose when Hon. Dekeri Anamer, a House of Representatives member from Edo State, urged constituents to inquire about the whereabouts of the approved bags of rice, leading to unrest. The delay in the procurement process led to misinformation and accusations against lawmakers who were awaiting the Ministry of Agriculture’s finalization of the distribution.
Contractors, responding to reporters, expressed optimism that the Ministry’s actions would ease tension, rectify misinformation, and address the prolonged wait for palliatives in many constituencies. While some federal constituencies have received palliatives after the issuance of award letters, the majority are still awaiting distribution, contributing to conflicting information and accusations against lawmakers.
The Edo lawmaker’s disclosure of N300 million worth of palliatives sparked intense controversy and confusion. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives denied claims of members receiving and hoarding the palliative items, citing ongoing procurement processes and bureaucratic delays from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Olusegun Dada, President Bola Tinubu’s special assistant on social media, confirmed the distribution of N200 million worth of palliative items to senators and N100 million worth to House of Representatives members. The House emphasized that the rice palliative released by President Tinubu is not missing but cited bureaucratic bottlenecks for the delay in distribution.
Philip Agbese, deputy spokesperson for the House, explained the ongoing process, emphasizing that while some lawmakers have received the rice, others are still awaiting delivery due to varying distances and bureaucratic challenges within the ministry.