The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has warned against all forms of fraud and criminality in the distribution of palliatives in the state.
This was as the state government Monday, commenced distribution of 52,000 bags of rice and 52,000 bags of maize palliative to the most vulnerable persons across the 44 local government areas in the State.
According to the governor who gave the warning in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Lawal Shehu on Friday, stated that it has come to his notice that there are some criminal elements allegedly selling forms in communities across the state to residents before they become beneficiaries of palliatives and other interventions being provided by the government.
He urged perpetrators of the criminal act to desist forthwith while stating categorically that there are no forms on sale for the distribution exercise.
Governor Sani said, “I categorically condemn this unwholesome act by the criminal elements in our midst and members of the public are hereby informed that there are no forms on sale under any guise for palliatives or social register.
“Kaduna State Governor is committed to ensuring that the palliatives get to the true beneficiaries, to achieve this feat.
“The governor set up the palliatives committee in July 2023 – to come up with modalities for the distribution of these palliatives, the committee has since been lauded as highly inclusive comprising representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, other members of Organised Labour, religious and traditional leaders, Civil Society Organisations, Persons with Disabilities, Local Government Chairmen, Youth and Women Groups.
“Residents of Kaduna state are also encouraged to contact their respective local government councils for information on the processes to be captured in the Kaduna State Social Register.
“The Kaduna State Social Register is the database of poor and vulnerable households in the state, and this register is utilised to identify beneficiaries of targeted social protection programmes and other interventions from the government.”
The Governor further urged members of the public to be extremely vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or diversion of palliatives to the authorities closest to them as all offenders when apprehended will be prosecuted according to the law.