Group urges Kefas to probe alleged diversion of FG palliatives in Taraba

A group, Taraba Concerned Citizens (TCC), has urged Gov. Agbu Kefas, to investigate alleged diversion of Federal Government (FG) palliatives to 16 local government areas (LGAs) and two development areas of the state.
The group, through its coordinator, Mr Timothy Gayus, and the secretary, Hamisu Salejo, made the call while speaking to newsmen in Jalingo on Sunday.
TCC called on Kefas to probe the local government council chairmen saddled with the responsibility of distributing the palliatives to the vulnerable.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that there have been widespread allegations of diversion of food palliatives sent to Taraba by the Federal Government, to cushion the effects of the economic hardship.
The items include bags of rice, maize, sorghum, garri and fertilisers, which were allegedly found on sale in major markets in the state.
“We demand to know why the palliatives meant to be distributed free to the masses have dominated all the major markets in the state without getting to the locals.
“Our question is that who sold them to the marketers? The palliatives were given to the state to cushion the present hardship the people are passing through, and not to be sold.
“The people are hungry, but the local government council chairmen chose to sell the palliatives.
“The people behind the diversion of the palliatives must be exposed and made to face the wrath of the law, in order to serve as deterrence to others,” the group said.
When contacted by some of the journalists on phone, Mr Saviour Nokun, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, said that it was the LGAs that first got the allocations.
Nokun assured that the allegations would be investigated and the culprits brought to book.
“Due to widespread outcry of alleged diversion of the commodities, I personally visited the Jalingo main market and found the commodities in some market stalls.
”This is sad and I want to assure you that the government will do everything possible to unmask those behind the diversion,” the commissioner vowed.
Available records from the ministry indicate that Wukari, Sadauna, Jalingo and Gasol LGAs, were given 850 bags each of rice, maize, milet and sugar; while the rest of the LGAs were allocated 800 bags of each of the items. (NAN