The Kaduna State Government said it is spending N11.4 billion on the second batch of palliatives being distributed.

Governor Uba Sani, in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna, said: “The Kaduna State Government is spending the sum of N11.4 billion on the distribution of the second batch of palliatives. We shall continue to take all measures necessary to bring succour to the poor and vulnerable in our state. In the next two months, we shall commence the implementation of the third phase of our palliative programme. It’s a full package.”

The governor added that the sum of N3.3 billion has been released for payment of pensions and gratuities, as well as death benefits to the families of deceased civil servants.

“Beneficiaries have started receiving alerts. The total number of beneficiaries stands at 1, 338. Civil servants have also started benefiting from our N500 million revolving loan scheme,” he added.

The governor expressed delight with the flag-off of the distribution of the second batch of palliatives to the poor, vulnerable and underserved citizens of Kaduna State, saying that 128 trucks of rice and maize worth N3.4 billion are being distributed.

He stated that the state government is targeting 200,000 households of approximately 1,000,000 people. He assured that the trucks carrying rice and maize have left for various local governments to ease the suffering of the less privileged citizens.

He also said that the state has commenced with urgency other intervention programmes, pointing out that the sum of N4.2 billion has been earmarked for cash, grants, fertiliser, farm inputs and implements.

“We have commenced the release of grants to 7,500 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs are getting between N100,000 and N500,000, up to N1,000,000, depending on the size of their businesses. Fertiliser and other farm inputs and implements are being distributed to 5,091 farmers,” the governor explained.