Ogun Says COVID-19: Food Relief Meant For The Poor, Vulnerable Only

By AbuSatar Hamed
ABEOKUTA: Ogun State Government has frowned on the misconceptions and misgivings, especially by elements who play politics with almost everything, even with people’s lives over the distribution of relief packages to households in the state.

According to a press release e-signed and made available to StarTrend Int’l magazine & www.startrendinternational.com by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to, Ogun State Governor, the government said, “Doubtlessly, the sourcing and distribution of such unprecedented quantum of relief packages by our state couldn’t have proceeded without initial logistical issues, there is however no doubting the fact that the Ogun State Government is determined to tower above all the attendant challenges.

“The Social media have been awashed with many videos and still images alleging that the package being distributed is one bag per street or CDA. This is untrue and deliberately spread in a bad light.”

The release stated further that in some of the locations where the alleged one bag per street sharing took place, Ogun State Government is yet to commence the distribution of these stimulus packages.

“Contrary to the rumour mills and videos making rounds, as our distribution progresses this evening (Sunday, April 5, 2020), we wish to reiterate that the underlisted are the contents that comes with each package of the stimulus.

“The package include 5kg of Rice, 5kg of Beans, 5kg of Garri, Sachets of Tomato sauce, Sachets of Groundnut oil, Noodles and Pasta and Spices (Cubes & Others).

“The above items in a package are to be distributed to INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS (NOT STREET), and 100,000 of such households are to be covered in the first tranch of the targeted 500,000 households.”

The government however warn that any person in the relief distribution effort found wanting or corrupting the process, will be severely sanctioned.

“We also implore all CDAs, CDCs and other stakeholders to cooperate with government officials involved in this relief efforts. Not everybody will be reached. But the poor and the vulnerable are the priority in this circumstance.

“While we recognize recognize and appreciate the roles of individuals and private organisations and institutions in providing relief packages, we strongly charge that such must be done in an orderly manner that obeys the rules, especially concerning social distancing.”

The government was of the opinion that distribution of palliatives by private concerns should not in anyway compromise the health of the beneficiaries. And such should not be misconstrued as coming from the State Government.

Ogun State Government however assures that it shall continue to place premium on the health, welfare and wellbeing of its residents, to ameliorate the present pains and sacrifices.

“Together we shall overcome this present pandemic,” the government posited.