Lockdown Extension: Center Demands Better Sharing Formula Of Relief Materials

Com. Alex Omotehinse, President of the Centre

Lockdown Extension: Center Demands Better Sharing Formula Of Relief Materials 

With the extension of the lockdown directive by 14 days, aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly Corona Virus also called COVID-19 pandemic, a right group, Centre for Human and Socioeconomic Rights (CHSR), has asked government at all levels to put in place a proper and better sharing formula of palliative measures in other to reach the most vulnerable Nigerians.

The Centre said the calls became necessary, as it was not satisfied with the process used in distributing the palliatives measures in the past.

The Centre made the calls in a release issued and signed by its National President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, who also called on the Federal government to critically look into the matter; and review the structure in which palliative measures are being distributed especially money distributed since accurate data is not available. 

The Centre’s release captioned: “Demand for proper investigation and accountability on the sharing formula of THE COVID-19 relief materials and cash”, reads in partsThe Center for Human and Socioeconomic Rights (CHSR), wish to use this opportunity of the celebration of the Resurrection of our lord Jesus Christ (Easter) in urging our Christian brothers and sisters to pray for the whole world and Nigeria in particular against the deadly Pandemic Corona virus called COVID-19.

“The leadership of the CHSR stand with all well meaning Nigerians and the government at various levels to fight this pandemic, as it is important we make the following observations that people are complaining of hunger and not Corona Virus as the purported relief materials and cash been claimed to have be given to some vulnerable are not properly coordinated as the government representatives have been claiming to have dole out several millions of Naira to vulnerable Nigerians and yet the money and the so called relief materials are still not getting to the right people.

“We demand for a proper and Accountable palliative measures to be put in place for the common man due to the additional 14 day extension of the lockdown as we are not satisfied with the process thus far. 

“We are aware the that Federal Government announced sharing a certain amount of money to several households across the country; which many of the citizens have kicked against and considered as falsehood, because many persons never got any assistance of any kind from the Federal Government.

“We urge the Federal Government to critically look into the matter; and review the structure in which palliative measures are being distributed especially money distributed since accurate data is not available.

“We suggest that the federal Government should use the Biometric Verification Number (BVN), Co-operative Society, Motor Drivers Association, Market Men and  Women Association, Community Heads, Traditional leaders and the Civil Society as a means of getting to the people”  

In saving from total economy lockdown, the Centre advised the government to encourage local purchase and production of agricultural products. “The local purchase and production, especially in agricultural products should be encouraged to keep the economy running, because food items has been in high demand”. 

Comrade Omotehinse also lamented that the lockdown directive was not properly coordinated, as some states are not fully comply with the directive. He stated that if Nigeria is desirous of containing the spread of the virus, all States of the country should be lockdown with provision of proficient palliative measures.

“We have observed that the restriction of movement and sit-at-home order is not  well coordinated as a swift measure to contain the spread of the deadly Corona virus known as covid-19 pandemic across the Nation and world.

“Various States announced curfew, sit at home, total lockdown when they get hit with the virus, but the Federal Government should also take note that many of her citizens about 75% of Nigerians depends on their daily work  to survive and put food on their table.

“As the federal government has directed them to sit -at-home, they should also provide proficient palliative measures (including cash and food items) to cushion the terrible effect this may have on them.

“It is of utmost importance that we centralize our action to makes it easier for proper control and this must be done now to control the rising number of affected people the federal and state government cannot continue to play with the lives of people especially the poor amongst us”.

He also called for proper investigation of the fire incident at the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Abuja. The fire incident, he alleged was used to coverup the fraud perpetrated by some disgruntled elements.

“The CHSR demands that those who are still scamming the Nation using the pandemic as a tool to defraud the country, especially the burning of  the Accountant General’s office known as the ‘Treasury House’, should be investigated as quickly as possible to reinstall the fast losing confidence of the people in this government”.