Coronavirus Lockdown: Ogun relief materials only for the poor and vulnerable

Gov. Dapo Abiodun 

Ogun State Government has frowned against the needless misconceptions and misgivings that greeted the distribution of relief packages to households in the state, to cushion the effect of the 14-day stay at home ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, the sourcing and distribution of such unprecedented quantum of relief packages by the state couldn't have proceeded without initial logistical issues, but there is no doubting the fact that Ogun State Government is determined to tower above all the attendant challenges.

The statement lamented that 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, which is untrue and deliberately spread in a bad light.

Somorin said 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.

He explained that contrary to the rumour mills and videos making rounds, the contents that come with each package of the stimulus are: 5kg of Rice, 5kg of Beans, 5kg of Garri, Sachets of Tomato sauce, Sachets of Groundnut oil, Noodles and Pasta, Spices (Cubes & Others).

Somorin stressed that 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.

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

The spokesperson also implored all CDAs, CDCs and other stakeholders to cooperate with government officials involved in the relief efforts, as not everybody will be reached, but the poor and the vulnerable are the priority in the circumstance.

The statement added that government recognises and appreciates the roles of individuals and private organisations and institutions in providing relief packages, and strongly charged that such must be done in an orderly manner that obeys the rules, especially concerning social distancing.

The state government advised that distribution of palliatives by private concerns should not in anyway compromise the health of the beneficiaries, while such should not be misconstrued as coming from the State Government.

According to Somorin, government has assured that it shall continue to place premium on the health, welfare and wellbeing of its residents, to ameliorate the present pains and sacrifices, with a promise to  overcome the present pandemic together.