COVID-19: Kaduna Govt flags off distribution of relief materials in Kafanchan

The Kaduna State Government on Monday flagged off the distribution of relief materials in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area to cushion effects of the coronavirus lockdown.
Coordinator of the distribution committee for Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas, Dr Bege Katuka, said the relief materials were targeted at people more adversely affected by the restriction of movement.
“This is targeted at the urban settlements where the effect of the lockdown is more badly felt than other places.
“Not everybody will get these palliatives but we want a situation where those who eventually get are people who are really in need and cannot afford them at this time,” he said.
Katuka said that the distribution of the relief materials was not a political exercise but a humanitarian service aimed at supporting the weaker ones in society.
“The exercise is not in any way to be selective on the basis of who you know or which political platform you belong.
“It is solely aimed at sincerely supporting weaker ones among us who pray for just a meal to survive the next hour and we will be committed to ensuring that, to a greater extent, this is done,” he said
According to him, membership of the distribution committee for the two councils was drawn from traditional institutions, religious bodies, youths and women groups to ensure just and fair distribution of the items.
On measures to guard against possible diversion of the relief materials, the coordinator explained that committees had been selected at cluster levels to ensure the items get to those in need.
He stated that Jema’a and Kaura Local Government Areas are among the eight councils in the state selected in the pilot phase of the distribution.
One of the beneficiaries, Ruth Danladi, who spoke to NAN said the gesture was timely, especially during this “perilous time.’’
“We want to thank the state government for thinking it wise to support us with these palliative materials at this critical time.
“This will no doubt help reduce the effect of the lockdown, and it is my prayer that God will grant the government the enablement to do more for the downtrodden,” she said
The items distributed include cartoons of Indomie, bags of rice and beans, groundnut oil, garri and spaghetti, among others. (NAN)