Lagos Gov’t Reacts To Viral Videos Of COVID-19 Palliatives Looted At Mazamaza Warehouse

The Lagos State Government has denied allegations that COVID-19 palliatives donated to the state by the Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) group were diverted.

Nigerians had criticized the state government for allegedly diverting palliatives freely donated to citizens of the state after viral social media videos showed the moment suspected hoodlums were looting the palliatives where they were being warehoused in the Mazamaza area of the state.

But reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Lagos government said the distribution of the palliatives, which include food items, to beneficiaries was halted by the recent #EndSARS protests.

The Lagos State Government has condemned the vandalisation of the warehouse at Mazamaza housing the food palliative packages donated to the  government by the Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) group.@jidesanwoolu @lagosagric1 @Abi_Olusanya#ForAGreaterLagos pic.twitter.com/x8ZSkQQJNF

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) October 22, 2020

The statement was signed by the state’s Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya.

According to Olusanya, the items belonged to states in the Southwest, contrary to social media reports that they were for Lagos alone.

He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on September 22nd 2020, formally taken receipt of the food palliatives from the CACOVID team meant for distribution to the indigent.

“The State had repackaged its share of the consignment and was distributing it before the protests that have affected activities in the State.

“The repackaging was being done to account for every beneficiary, according to the agreement with the CACOVID Group, which monitored the process.

“The warehouse in question is not State-owned and its usage was made available to the CACOVID group.

“The distribution was on-going but had to be halted due to protests, before the invasion of the warehouse today.

“For effective distribution, groups such as Transport Unions, Ethnic Groups, Religious Associations, Artisans and Tradesmen Association, People Living with Disabilities, Orphanages and Old Peoples’ Homes among others were being used as the distribution channels to their members.

“The State Government, however, regrets the invasion of the warehouse and appreciates the support offered by the CACOVID group to the citizenry of Lagos,” he said.