The Ondo State Government has said it has no plan to return bags of rice sent to it by the Federal Government as palliatives to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown.
This is contrary to the State palliative committee who had indicated that some bags of rice in the consignment sent the state had expired and that they would be returned if Governor Rotimi Akeredolu gave approval.
However, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mrs Olubunmi Ademosu, denied such plans.
Ademosu said, “The state government had commended the gestures of the Federal Government towards cushioning the effect of the lockdown across the country. It behoves us to appreciate the gestures rather than condemning it.
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“The items are in good shape, tested and good for consumption. The expiry date are boldly written on the rice, we cannot distribute what is harmful to our people.
“We must not create another problem while finding solution to one; we have tested the rice, checked the expiry date and I can confirm to you that the rice is of good quality and good for consumption.”
The State had received 1,800 bags of rice in three trailers alongside 700 gallons of vegetable oil last week from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management as part of measures to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown in the state.
The Ondo State Coordinator of Youths Employment and Social Support Operations, Mr Bankole Olaoluwa, said the group had provided the state with the register of the poor and vulnerable, capturing over 20,000 heads of households.
