‘Poor People Don’t Eat Eggs’ Governor Rejects Inclusion of Eggs in Subsidised Food Items for Vulnerable Citizens

In a recent development, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has declined to include eggs in the list of subsidised food items to be provided to vulnerable citizens in the state. The decision came during an enlarged State Executive Council meeting where the governor signed into law the establishment of the Bulk Purchase Agency.

The initiative, proposed to alleviate the burden of rising food prices exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies by President Bola Tinubu, focuses on providing staple food items at subsidised rates to individuals already enrolled in the state’s social register.

The approved list of food items includes rice, beans, and garri, each weighing 10kg and distributed monthly to beneficiaries. While some attendees questioned the selection of these items, noting the lack of protein sources besides beans, Governor Eno dismissed suggestions to include eggs, asserting, “Poor people don’t eat eggs. Let’s look at staple foods.”

Explaining the operational framework, Frank Ekpenyong, an aide to the governor on ICT, outlined the process wherein accredited market agents would distribute the subsidised items to beneficiaries, who would cover 70% of the cost, with the government subsidising the remaining 30%, including a 5% service charge to market agents.

The distribution system involves the issuance of vouchers to qualified individuals, allowing them to purchase the designated food items. These vouchers, printed by the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company, feature security measures to prevent counterfeiting.

However, concerns were raised regarding the accessibility of the scheme to rural residents, particularly low-income workers. Sunny James, chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, emphasized the importance of ensuring food availability for all citizens and suggested utilizing local printers to reduce costs.

Governor Eno addressed these concerns, acknowledging the need for broader accessibility and affordability but noted that details, including the final pricing structure, are still being finalized.