The Gombe State Government has clarified that it has not yet received the 20 trucks of rice allocated to it by the federal government, contradicting claims made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.

In a published advertorial, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the state’s Director-General of Press Affairs, stated that this clarification was necessary in light of the minister’s announcement in July 2024 regarding the rice distribution. The state government emphasized that although the allocation was announced, the actual delivery of the rice has not yet taken place.

The Gombe State Government also noted that similar issues have been reported in neighboring states, including Adamawa, Yobe, and Taraba. The advertorial further criticized the minister for singling out Gombe State, urging him to verify the status of the rice delivery through appropriate channels to avoid disseminating misleading information.

Despite the delay, the state government remains hopeful that the necessary arrangements will soon be made for the delivery of the rice, and it is committed to beginning distribution as soon as the consignment arrives.