THE UNEDITED:
It is with deep sense of patriotism and commitment to the wellbeing of humanity that I speak to power on this very important issue.
The Corona Virus invasion in our country is an unprecedented calamity that has indeed taken the world unawares and has dangerously permeated into human endeavours, destroying lives, economies and sources of livelihood of Citizens across countries around the world, with our dear country Nigeria, not an exception. It is indeed a sad situation that has thrown humanity into confusion, distress and near hopelessness. Indeed the WHO rightly declared this viral infection that has claimed lover 1.1m lives around the world a pandemic
Countries round the world, including Nigeria have brought together their best brains in science, medical, pharmaceutical and epidiomology, public health and research, etc together to find solution but they have only been able to proved socio economic solutions to the menace ranging from citizens maintaining social distances, simple personal hygiene, use of masks, sensitization , education and awareness creation, partial and total lockdowns, as well as treatment, care and support to the infected, along with psycho social support for the infected and their families to keep hope alive. This indeed is commendable as humanity in the whole world have come together in unity to adopt a common strategy to mitigate further spread of the corona virus otherwise known as COVID 19.
My dear compatriots, we have all heard and read about the various incentives and palliative measures put in place by governments around the world to alleviate the sufferings of their citizens especially the poor and vulnerable in the implementation of the strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus if not totally eradicating its existence. We are also aware that our federal government through Mr. President’s broadcast, (which came after agitations by citizens and criticisms from the opposition parties and persons from political parties other than the president’s), the CBN Governor and the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19, made pronouncements of palliatives in cash and kind, as well as interventions to expand access to credits through intervention funds, reduction of interest rates and increasing period of moratorium for loan repayments.
I wish to commend the effort of government. Organizations and good spirited individuals who have made donations pooled together to be utilized by government or who on their own are identifying these target beneficiaries across states/FCT,, LGA/ACs and distributing to them directly. May God bless the works of your hands and your good intentions.
However, there is need for government to make certain clarifications about the sources of these funds and their purpose especially the cash palliatives given to the poor and vulnerable households.
1. We are all aware that for the past 3-4 years the conditional cash transfer is a component of the National Social Investment Programme where we were told that selection of household was the decision of the community with set criteria based on global best practice and these beneficiaries were paid such stipends every other month for 2 instalments to reduce cost of logistics. The president directed that they be paid 2 months in advance. These disbursement is on going across states. Would this then be classified as Covid 19 intervention, since its an on going process that was budgeted for.
2. Why are these disbursements not done with the participation of CSOs and other stakeholders who are usually part of the process for the purpose of transparency and monitoring for accountability?
3. How would the 70 and 100 tons of grains be distributed and to who since we do not have a register or seem to have a reliable source of data specifying addresses and locations of these targeted beneficiaries as well as their needs assessment records.
4. Why the choice of Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN) over representatives of MSME business membership organizations to be part of the implementation process of the economic palliatives targeted at the MSMEs.
5. This is a process that should take immediate effect devoid of bureaucracies. Why not leverage on existing data of MSME operators who have been waiting for loans after undergoing the compulsory Entrepreneurship training be given the loan to produce Covid 19 essential products and also be patronized in order to create jobs and reduce poverty. This data can only be given by the MSME BMO who can also assist government to monitor as well as provide
Feedback on the impact of the intervention.
6. Why are citizens’ groups not part of the task force or Economic Sustainability Committee.
COVID 19 offers us as a country the opportunity to look inwards and take advantage of the development potentials it offers to utilize for the wellbeing of the citizens.
We in the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) has as our motto Integrity, Sacrifice and Service. We therefore call upon all citizens to imbibe this spirit at this time of our national challenge and eschew bitterness occasioned by political differences, unite to fight this common enemy COVID 19 and secure the lives of our citizens by sensitizing our members across political parties to support the directive of government to maintain social distances, personal hygiene, use of protective devices, offer care and support to the infected, assist and encourage the poor and vulnerable among us.
As citizens of our country, let us be law abiding and obedient to constituted authority to support them in this worldwide fight against COVID 19.
I thank you while I urge us all to keep staying at home until we are told otherwise and keep keeping safe.