We never rejected rice from the FG, but we discarded some which are not suitable for consumption - Governor Akeredolu

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has denied rejecting some bags of rice sent to the state by the federal government as part of the palliatives to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic.

It was reported earlier today that Ondo State Government rejected some expired bags of rice, from the 1,800 bags sent to the state by the Federal Government. Governor Akeredolu was alleged to have ordered the return of some bags of rice sent to the state by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, as they were found to have expired.

The Ondo State Governor however countered the report in a tweet he shared today. Akeredolu who disclosed that the report of rejecting the bags of rice is false, admitted that they discarded some bags of rice after they were found not to be suitable for consumption.

He tweeted;

A lot of news making the rounds that we rejected rice from the FG. This is false. At no time did we reject anything from the FG. We nonetheless have experienced similar issues experienced by other states with some of the bags. Those not suitable for consumption will be discarded.

The Ekiti State Government also denied returning1800 bags of rice donated to the state by the Federal Government as Coronavirus palliatives.

Prof. Bolaji Aluko, the Coordinator of the COVID-19 Task Force and Director General, Office of Strategic Transformation and Delivery in Ekiti dismissed claim of the rice being rejected because they were expired.

Aluko said;

“We have not rejected or returned any rice to the Federal Government.”