Political appointees in the standing committee saddled with the responsibility of distribution of palliatives in Niger State are currently facing a dilemma, as they are finding it difficult mopping up foodstuff in the market, as traders in various markets across the state have increased prices of foodstuff.

The increase is due to the directives of the state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, that all palliative foodstuffs should be procured from the local markets.

The political appointees found it difficult to procure the required foodstuff on Wednesday and Thursday, especially as the state governor warned the Standing Committees not to share money as palliative to the people.

The governor had stated that the money given to all the local government councils is to be used to procure grains and other food items, stating that any standing committee that shares cash will be sanctioned.

The Nation learned that several of the local government areas could not get enough grains to the tune of the money given to them while others who got did not get at the real price, as the traders increased the prices.

It was also learned that some of the members of the standing committee have had to go into the inner lands to search for farmers who have saved up grains in order to meet up with the required quantity.

The inability to get adequate grains led to the delay in the palliative distribution, as several local government areas did not start the distribution till Thursday night.

As at the time of filing this report, several wards and polling units were yet to get their palliatives.

The state governor had rolled out some modalities for the distribution of fuel subsidy removal palliatives, which will last for three days, starting from the 6th to 8th of September, 2023. (The Nation)