Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State unveiled an ambitious plan on Wednesday, aiming to combat poverty and improve the livelihoods of the urban and rural poor. The centerpiece of this initiative is the distribution of 52,000 bags of rice and 52,000 bags of maize as immediate relief to those in need.
Breaking down the assistance provided, it becomes clear that each of the 260 wards in the state will receive 200 bags of rice and 200 bags of maize, targeting the most vulnerable communities.
Governor Mbah emphasized that while these palliatives represent short-term strategies to alleviate poverty, his administration remains steadfast in its commitment to eradicating poverty in the state, aligning with his manifesto’s vision. He expressed, “Part of our vision is to eradicate poverty in Enugu state, and we knew that at the time we were saying that, there was a high rate of poverty in the state.”
However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by federal government policies, such as the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange rates, which have impacted the purchasing power of the people and expanded the poverty bracket. Governor Mbah remarked, “We are making sure that we introduce strategic programmes that would, in the long run, get our people constructively engaged and make a living from such engagements.”
The governor announced plans to procure buses to subsidize transportation, making it easier for citizens to access socio-economic opportunities. He also highlighted his administration’s dedication to addressing outstanding pension and gratuity arrears owed to public servants in Enugu by establishing committees for verification and clearance.
