Private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) on Monday explained that the distribution of the palliatives meant to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 was delayed as a result of the large scale of food items to be distributed.
The explanation is coming amid the looting of CACOVID warehouses across the country, by hoodlums and others.
According to CACOVID, the food items were for 2 million most vulnerable families in the 774 local government areas across the country.
The Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Osita Nwanisobi, who disclosed this on behalf of the coalition in a statement, explained that the large scale of the nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders, which coincided with the lockdowns and limited movement across the country, delayed the procurement and distribution exercise.
The statement read, “Members of the Private Sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) wish to call for calm, amidst the looting of COVID-19 palliatives meant for distribution in various State Government warehouses across the country.
“The Coalition is deeply concerned by the recent events and is urging those involved in the wanton destruction of public and private property to immediately desist from these raids, in order to allow the States to proceed with a peaceful and fair distribution of these palliatives to the neediest and most vulnerable in our society.
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“Over the past few months, the private sector, through CACOVID has been working with governors, the FCT Minister, and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to procure, deliver, and distribute these food relief items to almost 2 million most vulnerable families (over 10 million Nigerians) across the 774 local government areas of the country, as part of the private sector’s support towards the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The sheer scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, which coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country, compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner.
“The very large size of the order and the production cycle required to meet the demand caused delays in delivering the food items to the states in an expeditious manner; hence, the resultant delay in delivery of the food palliatives by the state governors.”
The Coalition warned with the looting of the palliatives, some intended beneficiaries would not get the relief items.
The coalition said it worked with all Governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to share the food items to over 10 million poor Nigerians.
It, however, pointed out that not every warehouse in Nigeria that contains palliatives is affiliated with the CACOVID donation, given that the states themselves, the Federal Government, and other organizations have also made donations.
The Next Edition reports that the country has witnessed large scale looting and destruction of public and private properties for nearly one week.
