Initiative Aims to Combat Middlemen Exploitation and Soaring Food Prices
In a bid to alleviate the hardship faced by citizens due to escalating food prices, the Akwa Ibom State government has announced plans to introduce redemption centers where registered vendors will offer basic food items at discounted rates to impoverished individuals holding government-issued food vouchers.
Governor Umo Eno disclosed this initiative during a speech delivered at the All Nations Christian Ministry March First Sunday Service in Uyo.
Expressing concern over middlemen exploiting the current situation by hoarding staple foods and reselling them at exorbitant prices, the Governor emphasized the need to ensure that food aid reaches those in genuine need.
“We want this food to get to the real people,” Governor Eno stated. “If not properly managed, people would buy it, hoard, and resell at a higher price again to the masses.” He acknowledged the challenge of ensuring the success of government programs, attributing their failure at times to such exploitation.
The proposed system will utilize a social register to identify eligible beneficiaries, and food vouchers will be distributed accordingly. Redemption centers will be established across the state, including in local markets, where individuals can exchange their vouchers for essential food items.
To prevent fraud and counterfeiting, Governor Eno mentioned the implementation of security printing for the vouchers and warned against any attempts to forge them. Additionally, measures will be taken to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to sabotage the process.
Governor Eno also assured support for farmers, stating that the Ministry of Agriculture would provide necessary inputs for cultivation and would be prepared to purchase surplus harvest from willing farmers.
The initiative signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges of food insecurity and exploitation, while also supporting agricultural development within the state.
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