Contrary to claims by State Governors that palliatives meant for the masses was being kept in wait for presidential approval, presidential sources have now said at no time were governors of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) asked to await any further directive before distributing the palliatives given to them by the federal government to cushion the effect of the COVID- 19, according to a report by Daily Trust.
Since Wednesday last week, hoodlums across the states have been breaking into stores and strategic reserves looting food items and everything on sight in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.
Besides donation by the federal government, groups such as the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) and spirited individuals had also contributed food and non-food items even as much of such donations had not been distributed to the targeted people.
The consignments were, however, looted in the last few days, a development that prompted some state governments to issue statements in which they gave excuses as to why they did not distribute the palliatives.
There has been a deafening silence from the presidency and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development and Disaster Management on the recent development as they perhaps, now understand why the masses have gone amok across the country following last week's looting in Lagos State.
Individuals and groups had in the last seven months chided the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government over the COVID-19 palliatives said to have been given to states.
One of the sources close to the federal government who does not want to be named, said, “We really don’t want to join issues with the states because this is a trying moment for all.
“But to set the record straight, there was never a time when the Presidency or the ministry of humanitarian affairs said, state governors should not distribute the palliatives given to them until a certain time,” he said.
Another source said, “The interventions were meant to support the poor whose livelihood was affected by the lockdown and therefore it is not tenable to say that such donations should not be shared.
“I don’t think if any government official either at the Presidency or anywhere will ask governors not to distribute such interventions.
“Of course some of us are aware that Plateau State for instance, got its donation a few days ago but some states received theirs months ago,” he said.
“The directive was that states should immediately distribute the good to the most vulnerable not to keep them,” another source said. “So, if some states kept the products this long; maybe they have a different reason; I am saying that they hoarded what they received,” he added.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq, was also called out severally for allegedly siphoning the palliatives.
She is now seen as “a hero of sorts” as people paid tribute to her on social media.
Her ministry had at the height of the coronavirus pandemic said it had distributed assorted food items to states for onward distribution to the most vulnerable population but the claim was rebuffed by many saying they did not benefit from the gesture.