Ogun says COVID-19 food relief meant for the poor, vulnerable only

The Ogun state government has said that the food stimulus it intends to distribute to the residents of the state is meant only for the poor and the vulnerable.

The government while reacting to various comments on the social media, condemned the misconception about the palliative measure by the public.

A release signed by Kunle Somorin, the chief press secretary to the governor, said the distribution of the relief packages to households is being needlessly greeted with misconceptions and misgivings, especially by elements who play politics with almost everything, even with peoples’ lives.

The release reads in part: “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 has been awash with many videos and still images alleging that the packages being distributed is one bag per street or community development area. This is untrue and deliberately spread in a bad light.

“In some of the locations where the alleged one bag per street sharing took place, the Ogun state government is yet to commence the distribution of these stimulus packages.

“Contrary to the rumour mill and videos making the rounds, as our distribution progresses this evening, we wish to reiterate that the underlisted are the contents that comes with each package of the stimulus; 5kg of rice; 5kg of beans; 5kg of garri; sachets of tomato sauce; sachets of groundnut oil; noodles and pasta as well as spices (vubes a d 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.

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

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“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 recognise 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.

“Distribution of palliatives by private concerns should not in any way compromise the health of the beneficiaries. And such should not be misconstrued as coming from the state government.

“Ogun state government assures that it shall continue to place premium on the health, welfare and well-being of its residents, to ameliorate the present pains and sacrifices.

“Together we shall overcome this present pandemic.”