The Kogi State government has attributed the delay in the distribution of the Federal Government’s palliatives in the state to the fact that the state has not received the allocation in full.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that the state had received approximately 95 per cent of the palliative items from the Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency.

He blamed the delay on transporters engaged by the Federal Government.

“The food items allocated to the state have not been fully received due to delays caused by the transporters,” he said.

Atimah stressed that the delay in delivery had affected the strategic and timely distribution plan put in place by the state government.

“The governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, who understands the plight of the people amidst the current economic hardship in the country, would have preferred to distribute the palliative food items long ago, if the items had been delivered promptly as expected.

“Hopefully, the food items will be fully received and distributed to the vulnerable populations across the state soon.

“The state government, under the able leadership of our capable and people-oriented governor, Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo, and Hon. Mouktari Atimah, the Executive Secretary of SEMA, acknowledges the patience, resilience and cooperation of the citizens of the state.”