An NGO, Development Integrity Foundation (DIG), has urged Ebonyi Government to eschew partisanship in the distribution of palliative items released to cushion hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The Executive Director of DIG, Mr Oliver Aja, made the appeal in Abakaliki on Tuesday in an interview with our correspondent.
The director commended state government for approving the release of the sum of N1.5 billion to cushion economic hardship occasioned by the lockdown and sit-at-home order by government.
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He said that state authorities should ensure effective monitoring of the distribution of the palliatives to ensure that the palliatives got to the vulnerable population, the items were meant to help.
He also warned against diversion of funds, materials and sharing of the items along party line, urging government to be fair, transparent and unbiased in the distribution.
“What we are asking government is to ensure that the distribution of palliative materials is not politicised or hijacked by politicians.
“Items released for distribution must get to the vulnerable members of society including those residing in the remote areas of the state,’’ Aja said.
According to him, there should not be any party sentiment.
“If you are of APC, Labour or PDP and you fall into the category of those to benefit, you must not be discriminated against.
“We, in the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) will closely monitor the exercise and also engage with relevant government institutions and officials performing roles in the exercise to ensure that the right thing is done.
“We also commend the Governor. Chief Dave Umahi for the release; individuals and other corporate bodies who have donated materials to support government in the fight against the dreaded new Corona virus.
“We will be on a radio programme on Friday, April 17 to discuss the place of the marginalised group including physically challenged persons who are the worst affected in the palliative arrangement.
“The palliatives should not be used for political patronage; it should not be PDP or APC affair, it should cut across every stratum of the population that should benefit,” he said.
Aja said that the coalition of CSOs in Ebonyi were regularly meeting with state officials to follow up government activities with regard to the distribution of the palliatives.
Meanwhile some residents of Abakaliki who spoke with NAN on their expectations, urged the governor to supervise the distribution of the materials to ensure that they did not enter the wrong hands.
Efforts to speak with Mr Uchenna Orji, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation on when government would commence distribution of the palliative materials to the people, were not successful.
A source in the Ministry who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, said that modalities for implementation of the programme were being worked out, saying that the relevant committees would soon begin distribution.
He noted that government would be strict and firm in monitoring distribution of items released for palliatives, saying that government had promised to deal with anybody found sabotaging the palliative programme.
Our correspondent reports that Umahi at a recent broadcast to the people of Ebonyi announced that the state government had approved the sum of N1 billion.
This was later increased to N1.5 billion for procurement of rice, other food items and purchase of face masks, among others.
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