Anxiety continues to grow on the uncertainty of government Ramadan Feeding program as the economic crunch bites harder among significant percentage of people in the state.
Moreover, residents have appealed to the state government to expedite action on the arrangement to launch the annual feeding program essentially to ease the pains of many who are finding it difficult to feed themselves and their families.
With the worsening food inflation compounded by a rising level of poverty in the country, some residents in the state have lamented the inability to carry out sufficiently the spiritual obligation in the holy month of Ramadan.
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Abubakar Aminu, a petty trader in Karkasara quarters appealed to the government to assist the poor masses with the provision of a feeding program, especially those finding it difficult to feed in the fasting month.
Aminu explained that the annual feeding program being sponsored by the state government has provided succour to hundreds of less privileged in the past. He expressed concern over the delay in the commencement of the program this year.
Another resident, Illiyasu Ungogo also lamented the late start of the program adding that hundreds of residents who rely on the annual feeding are being left disappointed.
” Many of us rely on the government meal program at our local mosque where it is often distributed. Because of our low economic status, we depart largely on the provision. We are surprised that up till today three of Ramadan, the program has not started. We appeal to government to help the masses.
As part of tradition, Kano state government usually approved millions of naira to organize Ramadan Feeding Program, a humanitarian gestures to assist less privilege through out the days of Ramadan.
The food distribution during the period of iftar, are designated at various mosques and special centres across the 44 local government areas to enable less privilege feed.
Kano is not alone in this critical gesture. States like Sokoto, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi Yobe have voted resources to feed the masses in the holy months considering the economic reality in the country.
Although, Kano state government two weeks ago announced the constitution of 2024 Ramadan Feeding Program (RFP) committee, entrusted to supervise the activities across the state.
However, residents are worried over government arrangements to commence the much anticipated program four days into the fasting period.
When contacted, Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Honourable Ahmad Tijjani Auwalu said the program would be unveiled any moment soon.
He attributed the late commencement to change of plans especially on the distribution methodology which he said “took us a little bit back wards”.
According to the commissioner, “Maybe we had a change of plan on distribution method that took us a little bit back wards but the state government have approved money for the entire exercise. When we are done with screening personnel tomorrow we shall start Insha Allah”.