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Tag: COVID-19 Palliatives

  • Akwa Ibom Govt sharing COVID-19 palliatives received since July as Christmas gifts – APC

    Akwa Ibom Govt sharing COVID-19 palliatives received since July as Christmas gifts – APC

    The All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom has accused the state government of sharing Covid-19 palliatives as Christmas gifts, describing the alleged action as an act of impudence.

    The party in a press release signed by its state publicity secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere on Friday alleged that the Covid-19 food items by donated in July by a coalition of private sector players led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    The press release reads in part, ”Another end-of-year folly from the administration is its decision to share, as Christmas gifts, the truck loads of COVID-19 food items sent to the state since July by the nation’s private sector coalition led by Dangote Group and other donors.

    ”The sight of these food items being shared in the country home of the governor’s Chief of Staff, Mr. Ephraim Inyangeyen, to PDP members as Christmas gifts is galling. How selfish, mean and wicked could these people be to have hoarded these items since July, deny Akwa Ibom people of its use during the lockdown, and now turn around to share it to their party members only. It is the height heartlessness.

    ”We also recall that the federal government had sent a truckload of rice to the state earlier in the year. The governor had claimed in a radio interview then that the rice didn’t appear good for consumption, and that he was going to send it for laboratory tests. Is the test result out? We are sure that the rice has been surreptitiously distributed to PDP members in the state.”

    But the state government in a press release signed by the commissioner for information and strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong explained that the sharing of the palliatives has nothing to do with the yearly Christmas gifts.

    ”The State Government had earlier in November this year intimated on the arrival of palliative materials from CACOVID (Coalition against COVID) which is a private sector driven corporate social responsibility contribution to the fight against the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. It was also announced that when the full consignment from the donors berths in our state, distribution will commence.

    ”The structure for the distribution of these palliatives at the LGA level is very inclusive, having representation from people living with disabilities, women, youths, religious organizations, professional bodies and opposition parties under the platform of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee.

    ”This committee supervises the distribution of these palliatives to the people passing through the intermediary ward distribution structure. The distribution, which is largely decentralized to conform to COVID-19 protocols, has started and is ongoing.

    ”The focus of this batch of palliative distribution apart from the LGAs are media, orphanage homes, medical workers, security personnel, traders, Labour, entertainers and students.

    ”This distribution of palliative is clearly different from the usual end of year goodwill gift of rice to different categories of people,” the government said.

  • I forgive those who accused me of hoarding COVID-19 palliatives – Humanitarian Minister

    I forgive those who accused me of hoarding COVID-19 palliatives – Humanitarian Minister

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, said she has forgiven those who accused her of hiding COVID-19 palliatives meant for the poor.

    She stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Gusau on Monday in Gusau.

    “I am aware many people have made various spurious allegations and accusations against my person and my ministry over the way we distributed Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19.

    “I have always said I am carrying out my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and with fairness to all parts of the country.

    “Now that they have realised their mistakes, l will only pray to God to forgive us all,” she maintained.

    The minister had earlier paid homage to the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, where the monarch appealed to the federal government to take second look at the security situation in the state.

    “The federal government should support the state in opening more access roads to expose the hideouts of criminal elements and give security operatives easier access to counter all terrorists.

    “We should also be considered for more federal appointments because currently, we only have one federal permanent secretary.

    “I want to assure you that we will continue to support all federal government programmes geared towards improving the wellbeing of the people,” the emir said.

  • Mass Looting: Release all COVID-19 palliatives in your warehouses, NLC tells FG, States

    Mass Looting: Release all COVID-19 palliatives in your warehouses, NLC tells FG, States

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged federal and state governments to release forthwith, all COVID-19 palliatives still stored in warehouses across the country.

    The union also condemned the mass looting of both COVID-19 palliatives and non-COVID-19 items in the country.

    This was contained in a statement on Monday titled, ‘NLC Demands The Immediate Release Of All COVID-19 Palliatives And Relief Welfare Materials’.

    The NLC, in the statement signed by its President, Ayuba Wabba, said the distribution of the palliatives by the authorities would help assuage the sufferings of the people.

    The statement partly read, “It is obvious that the palliative provisions that were procured by government for immediate distribution to the mass of our people at their critical time of need and to assuage the hardship occasioned by the lockdown were hoarded and held back by some government officials.

    “The reasons for this have not been made known to the public. We also understand that many of the palliative provisions are already getting rotten in the warehouses where they were stored.

    “While we condemn the ensuing mass looting of both the Covid-19 palliatives and non-Covid-19 palliative materials, we equally deplore the conduct of some government officials who stored away relief materials that should have been distributed to the masses of our people at their very trying times of need.

    “We call on the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of those who hoarded the palliative provisions.

    “In order to forestall riotous plundering of the remaining relief palliatives, the Nigeria Labour Congress demands that the Federal Government should order the immediate release of all the welfare provisions and materials to citizens.

    “As we had demanded in the past, the distribution of the palliative provisions should be transparent, and inclusive with active participation of mass-based citizen groups.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that there has been reports of massive attacks on warehouses suspected to be housing COVID-19 palliatives all over the country by irate youths.

  • Governors respond to allegations of hoarding looted COVID-19 palliatives

    Governors respond to allegations of hoarding looted COVID-19 palliatives

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Monday denied allegations that governors hoarded palliatives meant for distribution to Nigerians in order to ameliorate their sufferings during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    According to the forum, governors have held several meetings since the #EndSARS street protests started to address concerns of members of the public and that they identified calls for justice and an end to police brutality.

    Towards this end, the forum noted that governors have since set up judicial panels of inquiry to look into such cases.

    This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Governors and the CACOVID Palliatives,’ signed by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abudulrazaque Bello-Barkindo.

    The statement read in part, “The NGF regrets the loss of lives and property occasioned by the violent protests that erupted, and calls for calm.

    “The NGF reemphasises and corrects the impression that palliatives found in warehouses that were broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept in storage for members of the society, especially our vulnerable citizens.

    “The erroneous impression in the public domain that these palliatives were hoarded is not just inaccurate, entirely erroneous and untrue but also mischievous, to say the least.”

    Bello-Barkindo further said, “For the avoidance of doubt, some of the palliatives had the CACOVID stamp embossed on them, meaning that their source is unambiguous.

    “As we know, CACOVID operations are mainly domiciled in Lagos, being the headquarters of most of the public-spirited organisations, corporate bodies and individuals that came together to form the Coalition Against COVID-19 -CACOVID.

    “Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to ten states had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their states. This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID.

    “Some other states that still had palliatives in their warehouses chose to keep a strategic reserve ahead of a projected second wave of COVID-19.

    “As of a couple of weeks ago, some states were still receiving palliatives from the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.”

    The NGF declared that no state has been involved in or has hoarded any palliatives.

    It also assured all contributors to the palliatives that prior to the looting of these warehouses, states had kept full accounts of all the items received and distributed.

  • HAPPENING NOW: Hoodlums besiege warehouses in Abuja, loot available COVID-19 palliatives

    HAPPENING NOW: Hoodlums besiege warehouses in Abuja, loot available COVID-19 palliatives

    Suspected hoodlums have resumed the looting of warehouses where COVID-19 palliatives were believed to have been kept in Abuja.

    According to information reaching TheNewsGuru.com, TNG that the youths are presently looting some warehouses in Gwagwalada, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory.

    They reportedly carted away cartons of cereals, bales of clothes, bags of rice and millet and other commodities.

    It was also learnt that youths who raided some warehouses at Idu Industrial Estate on Sunday, have resumed their activities on Monday morning.

    During their raid, hundreds of youths, men,women and some children defied security operatives as they carted away different items.

    There have been widespread incidents of violence and looting across the country as hoodlums hide under the guise of the #EndSARS protests loot and set public and private properties ablaze.

    More details later…

  • JUST IN: Four feared dead as residents storm Kogi warehouse for COVID-19 palliatives

    JUST IN: Four feared dead as residents storm Kogi warehouse for COVID-19 palliatives

    Four persons were feared to have died on Sunday afternoon in Kogi as hundreds of residents stormed a warehouse in Lokoja in search of COVID-19 palliatives.

    The warehouse, located along the Murtala Mohammed Way, close to Kpata the market was reportedly invaded as early as 7am on Saturday through Sunday, mostly by women.

    The fatalities, it was gathered, resulted from stampede by residents who rushed at the government warehouse.

    The State Government had last week commenced distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to the 21 local government areas.

    Each local government area got at least one trailer load of palliative items, including rice, semovita, indomie noodles and pastas in 10 kilogram packs.

    The siege on the warehouse, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with an order by Governor Yahaya Bello that the remaining items be distributed to people.

    An witness said casualties were recorded despite warnings by security personnel deployed to the area that the residents should maintain the peace and avoid anything that may lead to stampede.

    Some of the women who confirmed the development said they were there in response to the Governor’s directive that the remaining items be distributed to them.

    Meanwhile, government has expressed appreciation to residents who turned out to share in the palliatives.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement on Sunday said: “Report at our disposal showed that local government authorities ensured the palliatives reached the masses and helped in ameliorating the hardship visited on our nation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

    “We urge our people to continue to stand tall in public conduct as government will always put their welfare on the front burners.

    “The Government of Kogi State also wishes to sound a note of warning to miscreants that all constitutional efforts will be geared towards protecting shop owners in the state as any violation of law and order will be met with superior resistance by law enforcement agencies.

    “Our people should go about their normal businesses as Kogi State remains safe.”

  • VIDEO: Looted COVID-19 palliatives in my home kept for distribution on my birthday – Lagos lawmaker

    VIDEO: Looted COVID-19 palliatives in my home kept for distribution on my birthday – Lagos lawmaker

    Lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency I at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade aka SOB, has said the looted COVID-19 palliatives in his home were meant to be distributed to beneficiaries on his birthday.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Agunbiade is the Majority Leader of Lagos State House of Assembly.

    On Friday, an irate mob stormed his house in Ikorodu and carted away COVID-19 palliatives.

    Agunbiade in a statement on Saturday, described the incident as a planned attack.

    The legislator said he got intelligence reports of “the plan to exterminate” him but took it as unfounded rumours.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain added that the palliatives were to be shared on his birthday on Sunday.

    The assembly member recalled that at the peak of the pandemic, he personally distributed palliatives to his constituents more than three times.

    “For my birthday on 25th October 2020, I have sent out, through my Media Team, notice of my intention to give support to 50 widows who have already been nominated by different groups in a programme christened Widows Mite for Widows and also distribute to some vulnerable and indigent individuals across the three local councils of my constituency, some palliative materials donated by the state and federal governments, as well as myself.”

    Agunbiade decried that the same items were those stolen from his house.

    “The barbaric event of Friday is though shocking but like a dolphin which is happy even in the middle of giant waves and horrible storm, I am stable and my faith in the mercy and grace of God is very fat. For certain the looters are not #Endsars protesters because the youth in Ikorodu engaged in very peaceful and well coordinated protest. The perpetrators of the attack on my house are group of assailants on a mission targeted at my life.”

    Agunbiade regretted that his certificates, travelling passports of his family and other valuables were stolen.

    He lamented his wardrobe and that of the wife were ransacked.

    Agunbiade, however, expressed gratitude to God that no life was lost during the incident.

  • Looted COVID-19 palliatives poisonous, Ekiti warns residents

    Looted COVID-19 palliatives poisonous, Ekiti warns residents

    Ekiti State government raised an alarm on Saturday that huge quantities of poisonous items, mistaken for food yet to be distributed as Covid-19 palliatives, were looted in warehouses in Ado-Ekiti on Friday.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Akin Omole, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that raising the alarm became expedient to forestall any harm that could befall anyone who consumed the items.

    Also reportedly looted was the office of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Ado Ekiti.

    “Information at our disposal revealed that the Federal Government’s silos, the ADP warehouse and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) stores, all in Ado- Ekiti, were attacked by hoodlums under the guise of seeking Covid-19 palliatives.

    “We insist that Ekiti state currently has no Covid-19 palliative warehouse as all the palliatives had been distributed.

    “Unfortunately, the items carted away were Single Super Phosphate and NPK fertilisers, which they erroneously thought was “Gaari’’, cassava grains.

    “The SEMA store too has only emergency supplies for disaster response.

    “Some people even made away with pre-fermented corns preserved for planting. All these items are poisonous and not fit for consumption.

    “We, therefore, appeal to our people not to consume these items because they can kill,’’ Omole warned.

    In a similar statement, Dr Olabode Adetoyi, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, confirmed the looting, warning that most of the items carted away contained chemically-treated seeds meant for planting.

    “They are not suitable for consumption,’’ he declared.

    According to reports, the looters actually defied a heavy downpour in Ado-Ekiti on Friday night to storm the warehouses.

    Many travelled long distances either in their private vehicles or in taxis or on motorcycles to get to the warehouses to loot.

    Soldiers drafted to the warehouses were late as most of them were almost empty before they arrived. They deployed minimal force in their attempt to send the looters away, but in spite of this, some of them sustained injuries.

    Some residents are of the opinion that the looters were encouraged by similar incidents earlier reported in Lagos and Osun states, where looted many bags of rice, beans, spaghetti and other consumables stored in government warehouses.

  • HAPPENING NOW: Hoodlums break into warehouse, loot COVID-19 palliatives in Jos

    HAPPENING NOW: Hoodlums break into warehouse, loot COVID-19 palliatives in Jos

    Hoodlums are currently looting COVID-19 palliatives in Jos, Plateau state.

    According to reports, the hoodlums invaded the warehouse in Bukuru, Nitel area, broke the gate and started carting away the consignments.

    Details Shortly…

  • Why we didn’t distribute looted COVID-19 palliatives, Osun food committee

    Why we didn’t distribute looted COVID-19 palliatives, Osun food committee

    The Osun Food and Relief Committee on COVID-19 on Friday said the looted items at a warehouse in Ede town were not hoarded, but rather kept for flag-off of official distribution.

    Alhaji Bayo Jimoh, Secretary to the committee, in a statement in Osogbo, said that the looted items were donated to the committee as palliatives to the people by private sector and Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that some angry youths in the early hours of Friday broke into a warehouse in Ede town and carted away COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution.

    Items such as beans, noodles, sugar, salt, garri, rice, pastas, vegetable oil, among others, were looted from the warehouse located within the moribund Cocoa Industry, Ede.

    The incident, however, happened barely 24-hours after the state government announced the suspension of dusk-till-dawn curfew imposed following the #EndSARS protest.

    TNG reports that Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola had in April inaugurated a 21-member Food and Relief Committee to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on the people of the state.

    Jimoh, however, said that the looted food items had no direct bearing with the state government, adding that the items were within the purview of the Food and Relief Committee.

    He said as such, the items could only be distributed after a formal flag-off by the CACOVID Office, Abuja.

    The statement read partly, ” We do not have the authority to distribute the food items without approval from Abuja.

    ” Besides, the Committee is still expecting the rice component of the donated items, which is 40, 230 bags of 5kg.

    “All these are part of the reasons the items were still in the warehouse up till the time of the invasion.

    “The following items were donated; Pasta FMN – 29, 992; Pasta OLAM -10, 282; Noodles- 80, 644; Garri -40, 322; Salt- 40, 320; and Sugar – 40, 227.

    “However, the rice components of the donated items are yet to be delivered until now.

    The Committee wrote to CACOVID as recently as Sept. 28, 2020, reminding it of the rice component, which is yet to be delivered.

    “However, until this moment, we are yet to receive response from CACOVID.

    “This is the truth about the status of the donated relief items until the unfortunate looting,” Jimoh said.