NLC Demands Immediate Release Of COVID-19 Palliatives To Stop ‘Riotous Plundering’
The Nigeria Labour Congress has called on the government to ensure immediate release of COVID-19 palliatives and all relief materials stored in the various warehouses across Nigeria.
NLC in a statement signed by the President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, wondered why palliatives procured by government for immediate distribution to assuage the hardship occasioned by the lockdown were hoarded and held back by some government officials.
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The Congress said that it had followed with keen concern the unfolding incidents of mass looting of relief materials stored away in different warehouses across the country.
It said, “These relief palliatives and provisions are believed to have been procured by government to relieve citizens of the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown and the associated hardship.
“The reasons for this have not been made known to the public. We also understand that many of the palliative provisions are already getting rotten in the warehouses where they were stored.
“While we condemn the ensuing mass looting of both the Covid-19 palliatives and non-Covid-19 palliative materials, we equally deplore the conduct of some government officials who stored away relief materials that should have been distributed to the masses of our people at their very trying times of need.
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“We call on the Federal Government to investigate the conduct of those who hoarded the palliative provisions.
“In order to forestall riotous plundering of the remaining relief palliatives, the Nigeria Labour Congress demands that the Federal Government should order the immediate release of all the welfare provisions and materials to citizens.”
It further stated that the distribution of the palliative should be transparent, and inclusive with active participation of mass-based citizen groups.
The Congress explained that the directive should apply to state governments.
It urged government officials not to create a scenario that precipitate mass unrests at this very delicate and fragile period.
