Lockdown: Ondo Govt Clears Air On Rejecting FG’s Rice Palliative ….Says Distribution Begins Next Two Days

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Ondo State Government, on Monday denied rejecting the 1,800 bags of rice donated to the state by the Federal Government to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown on the people.

Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Public and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Bunmi Ademosu, made the denial while speaking with journalists in Akure.

Ademosu, however, said the government will begin distribution of the palliatives items in the next two to three days to the people in the state saying repackaging of the rice is ongoing.

Recall that Ondo state on Monday received 1800 bags of rice and 700 gallons of vegetable oil as part of measures aimed cushioning the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown in the country through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

But, there was a report that Ondo is among the Southwest states that turndown the Federal Government’s rice for allegedly contaminated or expired.

Ademosu, who dismissed the report saying the FG rice brought to Ondo state had been tested and not poisonous or expired, noting that the expiring date on the bags of the rice ranges from May, 2020 to 2021.

According to her, the state government never contemplated returning the rice to the federal government and expressed shock to have read in some section of the media that he rejected the rice.

She, however, described the report as unfounded, embarrassing, shocking and false.

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

“The committee had commenced the repackaging of the rice for onward distribution to the vulnerable in the state in the next two to three days,” Ademosu said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr Bunmi Alade appealed to the public to disregard the rumour of poisonous rice from the federal government.

Alade said, “the state government had commended the gestures of the Federal Government towards cushioning the effect of the lockdown across the country. It behoves on us to appreciate the gestures rather than condemning it.