Group cautions politicians against interrupting palliatives measures

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A non government organisation known as People’s Vision for Community Development initiative, has called on politicians to stop meddling with the activities of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster management and social development on the payment of conditional cash transfer and palliatives given to the poorest of the poor and vulnerables across the country.
In a statement issued and signed by the president of the forum , Fidelis Yughur, said calling for reforms now was unnecessary because of the emergency situations caused by COVID-19 aimed at cushioning the effect of the poor following the lockdown.
He said reforms are important but not immediately in a situation like this time that the country is facing during the COVID 19 pandemic.
According to him, reform could be made long term but not now because of the urgency and time frame given to tackle the situations in the country.
He also said calling for reforms under an emergency situation like this will be diversionary to the ministry in performing their duties.
Yughur also commended the Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq for her effective disburstment of the conditional cash transfer and palliatives, urging her to remain focus in discharging her mandates to the people, in line with President Muhammadu Buharis directives in cushioning the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic.
He added that the efforts of the Minister in reacting fast to the CCT was commendable, saying, with the digitalised national social investment register adopted.
He said the process will be effective and done in a transparent and efficient ways aimed at reducing the sufferings of the people during the lockdown.
The Yughur added that the unannounced visit of the COVID-19 came in as a surprise but was quickly intervened by the president order to the Minister by providing cash and palliatives through different channels across the states.
The facts remains that COVID 19 is a passing phase which will soon be overcome the president stated.
According to him, the 20,000 thousand naira CCT paid is applauded, adding that the palliative measures such as food distribution, cash transfer and loans repayment waivers were made to ease the pains being felt massively across the six geo-political zones across the states.