The Deputy Governor of Kaduna state, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has revealed that a company in the state has offered to produce face masks which would make it readily available and at cheaper rate for residents to curb the spread of Coronavirus.
She also stated that civil society organisations, journalists and security agencies are billed to monitor the distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable which commenced in Chikun LGA on Monday.
Speaking in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Muyiwa Adekeye, Monday, the deputy governor said, “A company has offered to produce face masks in Kaduna state, which will make it cheaper for all and sundry to use, all in a bid to contain the disease.
‘’Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Department For International Development (DFID) has approached the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), to supply raw materials for the production of hand sanitisers locally.
“Palliatives are being distributed from clusters to households and in some local governments, the target beneficiaries have already received deliveries. However, to ensure more transparency and accountability, the Palliatives Committee will work with credible Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), to monitor the distribution.
“The administration has put in place a robust system to check abuse and diversion of these essential commodities as a government which is anchored on integrity. Notwithstanding, no system is completely foolproof and in any case, another layer of monitoring will only improve on what is on ground.
“Those that have been charged with the responsibility of identifying vulnerable groups and persons within communities should do so in a manner that depicts fairness, honesty and sincerity of purpose. We all should be looking out for one another at this time and always.’’
The statement called on well-meaning individuals to contribute either in cash or in kind, towards bringing succour to the needy.
“The Resource Mobilisation Committee will communicate to our major contractors, investors and corporate bodies, as well as donor agencies and development partners, to solicit for their support in that vein
“Modalities are being worked out to ensure that political appointees also contribute to this noble cause. The cash donations will be put in dedicated bank accounts and will be used to fund COVID-19 related activities including procuring food items for the vulnerable persons within the society,’’ she said.
Dr Balarabe urged residents to continue passing on the message of social distancing, washing of hands regularly with soap and running water, to forestall community transmission of Covid-19.
The Village Head of Danbushiya in Chikun LGA, Alhaji Mukhtar Haruna, expressed appreciation to Kaduna state government for making available palliatives for the vulnerable in the state, noting that the food items which include 5kg bag of rice, 5kg bag of beans, carton of indomie, carton of spaghetti and gallon of vegetable oil, will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people.
One of the beneficiaries, Malam Yahaya Usman, who was given a carton of indomie, expressed appreciation to Governor Nasir el-Rufai for the palliatives, while praying for his quick recovery, and others infected with the virus.
