The governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has directed a probe into the palliative care distribution process in order to prosecute those responsible for the diversion of food supplies.
At the state executive council meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, Diri issued the order in response to complaints that certain people had stolen supplies intended for every ward in the state.
As part of the steps to lessen the impact of the loss of the gasoline subsidy on the people of the state, the state government had purchased additional food supplies in addition to the five trucks of rice that the federal government had given to each state.
A minimum of 150 bags of rice were assigned to each ward, separate from corn.
According to a statement written by Mr. Daniel Alabrah, his main press secretary, the governor denounced the actions of individuals who purportedly misappropriated palliatives that were assigned to them for distribution in the state’s 105 wards.
He gave orders to Alabo Gideon Ekeuwe, the secretary to the state government, Brig-General Eric Angaye (rtd), the coordinator of the state Community Safety Corps, and Dr. Peter Akpe, the acting chief of staff at Government House, to collaborate with pertinent organizations in order to determine who is responsible.
Politicians should act selflessly and not withhold resources intended for the general populace, Diri stressed.
He expressed gratitude to his cabinet members for their tireless efforts in winning the state’s governorship race on November 11 and claimed that they had won the election together.
The governor expressed gratitude to Bayelsans for their affection and support during the election and pledged to use his administration’s best efforts to raise the state’s standard of living.
The Bayelsa helmsman also urged the state’s opposition to accept defeat in the most recent election, stating that he had won rightfully and would confidently defend it after winning the hearts of Bayelsans with his administration’s diverse policies.
In addition, Diri issued a warning to troublemakers to follow the road of peace, declaring that his administration would not support acts of intimidation and terrorism within the state.