By Ibrahim Abdul’ Aziz
As the lock-down slammed by the Adamawa State Government to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic entered the six day, Monday, many residents have started grumbling, complaining that they had resorted to begging to keep body and soul together.
Those who spoke to The Crest in Yola, the state capital, alleged that they had no choice than to go bowl in hand because they were yet to receive any palliatives either from the Federal Government, or state government or their local governments.
The development came up even as the Adamawa State Emergency Agency, ADSEMA, distributed relief materials in its stores to local government councils to reduce the suffering of the downtrodden at this time.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent lamented that despite the huge sum of N500 million said to have been earmarked by the state government as palliatives, they were yet to receive any assistance as the economy bites harder by the day.
‘’We heard that the state government has provided N500 million as palliatives,” said Baba Jada Musa, a resident of Jimeta, “but I can confirm that no resident has got one kobo !
“That is why most of them have resorted to begging from their more privileged neighbours.
‘’Right now, it’s like double tragedy because some people with fast fingers are helping themselves at our detriment, especially at a time the government ordered that we must stay at home.’’
For Joseph Gulak, another resident, the burden of survival is too heavy to bear. “”This is the worst experience I have ever had in the whole of my life,” he lamented. “We are law abiding citizens and we deserve better treatment.”.
Mary Bako a politician, was worried hat there could be preferential treatment in distribution of the foodstuff being given by the agency, ‘’Our fear is that the foodstuff given by ADSEMA to local government chairmen may be tempered with or share along party lines,” she said.
“How can one expect fairness and transparency where chairmen, commissioners and members of the state Assembly are assigned for the distribution?
‘’Whereas they ought to have been giving us their own palliatives, they, instead, are waiting on the government.’
We are doing our best to assist- Gov Fintiri reacts
Meanwhile, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has said that his government was mindful of the situation, hence he directed the state emergency agency (ADSEMA) to commence distribution of relief materials to local government councils as palliative.
Fintiri, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistance on Mobilization Barrister Sunday Joshua Wugira, said, ‘’ The governor has directed ADSEMA to provide relief materials to the people.
‘’Local governments have taken their share; there is a local government committee comprising of local government chairmen, state lawmakers, and commissioners, to handle the exercise,” Wugira said, adding: “Those that collected their share are expected to start distributing to their people devoid of party preference.”
However, ADSEMA said it has covered at least 16 out of the 21 local government areas in the state.