Private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) on Monday explained why the distribution of palliatives to poor and vulnerable families to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was delayed.
The coalition said that the distribution of the relief items, which were for 2 million most vulnerable families in the 774 local government areas across the country, was delayed due to the magnitude of the number of food items to be distributed.
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This disclosure was made by the Acting Director of Corporate Communications of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osita Nwanisobi, on behalf of the coalition, on Monday, October 27, 2020.
The coalition said that the large scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders, which coincided with the lockdowns and limited movement across the country, delayed the procurement and distribution exercise.
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A statement by the coalition’s spokesman partly reads, “Members of the Private Sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) wish to call for calm, amidst the looting of COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution in various State Government warehouses across the country.
“The Coalition is deeply concerned by the recent events and is urging those involved in the wanton destruction of public and private property to immediately desist from these raids, in order to allow the States to proceed with a peaceful and fair distribution of these palliatives to the neediest and most vulnerable in our society.
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“Over the past few months, the private sector, through CACOVID has been working with governors, the FCT Minister, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to procure, deliver, and distribute these food relief items to almost 2 million most vulnerable families (over 10 million Nigerians) across the 774 local government areas of the country, as part of the private sector’s support towards the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The sheer scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, which coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country, compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner.
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“The very large size of the order and the production cycle required to meet the demand caused delays in delivering the food items to the states in an expeditious manner; hence, the resultant delay in delivery of the food palliatives by the state governors.”
CACOVID warned that some intended beneficiaries for palliatives will not get the relief food items due to the looting of these items by hoodlums.
The coalition said it worked with all Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to share the food items to over 10 million poor Nigerians.
It, however, pointed out that not every warehouse in Nigeria that contains palliatives is affiliated with the CACOVID donation, given that the states themselves, the Federal Government, and other organizations have also made donations.
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What you should know
It can be recalled that as part of the fallout of the outbreak of violence during the #EndSARS protests, there has been widespread looting of warehouses used to temporarily store the palliative items for distribution to the poor and vulnerable, as part of measures to reduce the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. These incidents have been prevalent in different states across the country including the FCT.
Nigerians have been very critical and expressed their anger over the non-distribution of these items in the face of hunger across the country, some months after the announcement of this exercise. They accuse the politicians of allegedly keeping these items for themselves, their cronies, and possible distribution during electioneering campaigns.
This is another excuse for their evil, we all know that the politician are keeping it against election to persuade the vulnerable to vote them to power.
Story for the gods
Nigerians know very well that these so-called private sector coalitions are owned or controlled by the politicians who have hoarded the palliatives for their own purpose – probably for use in the next elections – and who are now using the so-called private sector coalitions to try to explain away their wickedness for not giving the palliatives to poor Nigerians for whom it was meant. There is not one explanation that can excuse this level of wickedness because Nigeria didn’t face any circumstances that wasn’t faced by other parts of the world during the pandemic who didn’t fail to distribute theirs. Just face your shame. You are beasts from hell not humans with flesh and blood and the capacity for empathy.
You keep those items till covid duration expires and people die of hunger, what could tell me that is at the back of your mind, hmmm! big time fraud is really going on in this country we all know about it it’s not hidden, is only God that will reward you
You are mad for that senseless explanation
What a selfish reason,I don’t blame you Idiotic element
These jourlastist and publishing house should be a shame of themself to publish such a paid article, taking Nigerians for fouls, journalisme in this country..😭
No, nobody will believe this excuse. You are all not faithful to hoard these food items. Sorry i dont believe it.
it pains me that i will open my phone go into news outlet only to be bombarded by such news as this. i lived at coker which is an area in lagos state that fall into suru lere local government area. and i can remember it like it was yesterday when the local government people brought vehicles with palliatives. they started taking pictures of the area and market women. they later drove off with the palliatives without distributing it. next thing you know, news started flying around on how the local government distributed palliatives in my locality. so guys should stop with the fake news on how the goverment is trying to give out palliatives or couldn’t give out palliatives due to the high number of people in an area.
Give me a break. They’re only talking cuz they got caught.
U can’t even convince children with this stupid excuse. This shouldn’t be published in the first place. Shame on our politicians (cheap thieves). SHAME
You are a big fool. Look at us useless excuse that is to show how heartless the leaders can be, what if hungry have killed the poor during the lock down, could you have been saying this, once again you bastards have showed the world again how evil you people are, even devil run because of the kind mind way una get. The end to you all I mean you all is near. Evil people
Scamilious explanation from scamilious people!!!
It is sadly unfortunate that you idiotic and pathological liars think that Nigerians are fools to believe your fashionably idiosyncratic views/defense borne out of gross wickedness, greed and absolute insensitivity with total lack of milk of human kindness, remarkable consideration and thoughtfulness for the populace in order to cover your shame.
Barawo that’s what you all are,God WL surely judge you all, wicked politicians, wicked leaders, explain this to your stupid greedy family and kids