Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state; has flagged off distribution
of coronavirus (COVID-19) disease palliatives to Maiduguri residents.
The residents were locked down last Wednesday; to prevent and contain
COVID-19 virus from further spread.
According to him, the palliatives are being distributed to Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable groups in camps and host
communities of metropolis and Jere council.
While flagging of palliatives Saturday at Muna Customs House IDP camp,
he said the distribution of food items; are to cushion effects of lock
down; and prevent and contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
He said the distributed food items, were released to government by
North East Development Commission (NEDC) for distribution to IDPs in
camps and host communities; affected by decade long insurgency in
Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
“I thanked the Commission for the supply of food items in twin crises
of COVID-19 and Boko Haram insurgency,” he said, noting that he was
impressed with the lock down compliance.
He said the commission donated 2, 200 tons of rice, sorghum and millet
for distribution, while state government is distributing thousands of
bags of food items and wrappers for IDP households and women.
On tough times of crises, he said: “Even in normal circumstances of
living, things are tough for the people of Borno due to devastating
impacts of Boko Haram insurgency.
“The lock down is no doubt difficult for our people, particularly
during Ramadan.
“I will recommend to COVID-19 response team that they should consider
relaxing the lock down on Monday and Thursday this week.”
He said it will enable people meet their basic needs of life; as many
of them do not have enough food to last for more than two days.
This was why he said many people; have to go out to work in order to
get what they eat on a daily basis.
While commending the response team; he said: “I urged my Deputy, Umar
Kadafur and entire citizens to sustain the collective efforts contain
and prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) disease,” warning that; “When the
response team accepts recommendation to relax lock down on next Monday
and Thursday, there will be no gatherings of any form in Maiduguri
metropolis and Jere Council.”
According to him; during the two-day relaxes; there must be social
distancing to enable people purchase their basic needs of life.
