Following the vandalization and looting of palliatives from some warehouses in Jos and Bukuru, the Plateau State Government has condemned the action and is correcting what it calls, the erroneous impression that the items were being hoarded.
According to the government, the items at the warehouses were delivered to the state by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development, and Disaster Management, for distribution to beneficiaries in the state.
It may be recalled that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk was in Jos with the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paullen Tallen on the 16th October 2020 to deliver the items and had indeed brought in the personnel of the ministry to carry out the distribution, in conjunction with state officials.
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However, as they were preparing to begin the process, the #ENDSARS protests began, which put the process on hold.
Unfortunately, while the team from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Social Development, and Disaster Management, alongside the state representatives, were waiting for the coast to clear to commence the distribution, the stores were breached and the items carted away.
The Plateau State Government therefore wishes to state categorically that it did not hoard any palliatives meant for the citizens of the state at any time.
All the palliatives purchased by the state and those donated by private individuals were distributed equitably by the State Palliative Committee, headed by Professor Sonni Tyoden, the Deputy Governor of Plateau State.
With this explanation, it would be wrong and mischievous for anyone to suggest that the state government was hoarding food items meant for indigent citizens.
The rescue administration of Governor Simon Lalong will never tolerate that. The government, therefore, wishes to appeal to the citizens, particularly the youths, to continue to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid any action that could cause the breakdown of law and order.
The Government wishes to remind the citizens that the directive for the ban on protests and procession is still in force and security agencies still have the mandate to arrest and prosecute those who violate the order.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
