The Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State has asked the State government to carry out due diligence and cross check the 1,800 bags of rice it received from the Federal Government as palliatives, to ascertain quality of the rice.
In a statement issued on Monday by its State Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, the party said this becomes necessary in view of the fact that governors of Oyo and Ondo states had both rejected bags of rice donated to the their states by the FG, as they were found to have expired and unsafe for human consumption.
“It is based on this development we are asking the Kwara State Government to carry out due diligence and cross check the bags of rice given to it by the Federal Government, to determine quality of the products before distributing them to the people of Kwara.
“The bags of rice were reportedly seized by the Nigerian Customs Service and had been kept in store for long. Therefore, we can’t rule out the possibility that some of them might have expired or got infested.
“Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq must take a cue from both governors Seyi Makinde and Rotimi Akeredolu, and order an immediate check of all the bags of rice received from the FG to ensure that adulterated and poisonous rice are not distributed to Kwarans.
“The Kwara State Government must speak up and not keep quite because of political affiliation. The government must prioritise the wellbeing of the people over political correctness. The people are currently facing hardship; we must not add to their burden by giving them food that can jeopardise their health.”
