COVID-19: National Lawmaker commends FG and State Governments on distribution of palliatives
Lawmaker representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Senator Umaru Tanko Almakura has commended the efforts by the Federal and State Governments towards cushioning the effect of the harsh economic conditions caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Senator Almakura stated this at his constituency office in Bukan Sidi Lafia, the capital city of Nasarawa State today (April 22, 2020) when he commenced the distribution food items to members of his constituency.
According to the federal lawmaker, the pandemic had necessitated drastic measures by governments all over the world, most of which have had negative effects on the welfare of the citizens.
Senator Almakura said: “You are all aware that our country and indeed the world over is being bedevilled by a very unusual pandemic, the coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19. And virtually all countries of the world are in a kind of state of confusion where a lot of things have stopped and a lot of measures have been put in place to halt the spread of this pandemic.
“And by so doing, certain categories of people come under certain pressure; where to get what and how to survive.
“And as you can see the Federal Government and some State Governments have started making efforts to reach out to the ordinary people in the hinterlands who will be supported with relief materials, palliatives to cushion the harsh effect of this problem.
“I, in line with this most laudable efforts of the Federal Government and the State, and indeed other public spirited individuals, I feel as a Senator representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, should also extend my support by way of reliefs and palliatives to the people of my constituency.
“No matter how little, we feel we should get this palliatives and relief to all the nooks and crannies of the constituency.
“And like you know, the Ramadan fast is also by the corner. By Friday or thereabout people will commence. With the onset of the Ramadan, the challenges that people are facing now will be on the increase. And that is why I feel this is a most opportune time to distribute this relief, to support people of my constituency, to every electoral unit so that they will be able to have some support to reduce the exertion of challenges on them. That is the aim and objectives of this.”
Senator Almakura said that to ensure the palliatives get to the target beneficiaries at the grassroots, he had placed the responsibility of sharing solely on the councillors and his coordinators in the 53 Electoral Wards that are under his constituency.
According to him, there is nobody in a better position to know those truly in need of the palliatives than the councillors and the coordinators who work directly with the people.
The lawmaker also said that people living with disabilities were not part of the target beneficiaries as such arrangement usually leaves them disadvantaged.
He said theirs will come in a separate arrangement after this round.
In the arrangement, each of the 53 wards in the Nasarawa South Senatorial Constituency was to get 50 25kg bags of rice. This means over 2,500 bags of rice are to be distributed.
Senator Almakura, apart from the distribution of palliatives, disclosed that he had engaged his coordinators in all the 53 wards in his constituency to embark on a campaign, sensitizing the constituents on the need to maintain social distancing, proper personal hygiene and other measures as specified by the WHO and NCDC to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.
