Edo denies hoarding FG rice, claims proper distribution

The Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, on Wednesday, said that the state government received a few trucks of rice from the Federal Government early this year.

Nehikhare, who stated this at a press conference in Benin, said that the said rice was 25kg each and would have in no way alleviated the suffering of the masses in the state.

He said that the trucks of rice were distributed according to the list provided. He said the rice was taken to the local government, some went to the IDPs, less privileged, vulnerable, and others on the list.

He said, “I will state categorically that the Edo State Government does not buy rice. Edo State Government did not buy rice.

“What it did is to provide N2.2bn to CAN to purchase this food and other items; Garri, Yam, Plantain including rice to give to the vulnerable people and that is a deliberate government policy.

“Then, on the issue of the Federal Government giving us rice, I will tell you, a few months ago, maybe early this year or late last year or mid this year, they brought some few trucks of rice.

“They (the rice) were distributed according to the formula which they sent to us. The rice went to IDP camps, to different people, to orphanage homes. You people should do the investigation.

“Edo State Government did not touch one of them. It went straight to the local government and then to where it was designed to be given out. Edo State Government does not keep rice.”

Recall that the Deputy Director of Media, Asue Ighodalo Governorship Campaign Committee, Rev Olu Martins, had denied that the Edo State government received 20 trucks of rice from the Federal Government.

The disclaimer followed the claim by the All Progressives Congress that the state government did not distribute the bags of rice it received from the Federal Government, following a viral video on social media showing some angry protesters looting a house where bags of rice were stored.

Martins said a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, who made the allegation on a television programme on Saturday, only speculated to whip up sentiment against the state government.