COVID-19: Former LG Chairmen Call On FG, State Governments To Provide Foodstuff Allowance For Nigerians

President Buhari

Adenike Sanusi

ABEOKUTA - Following federal government directives on the lock down of businesses across Nigeria, former council chairmen in the country have appealed to the federal and state governments to provide stipend allowance for Nigerians to allow them find succour on the dreaded coronavirus disease. 

The ex-local government chairmen under the umbrella of Association of EX-LG Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON) said the decision would cushion the dastard effect of COVID-19 on the living conditions of many families since the scourge advanced in Nigeria. 

The Association said that the stimulus package if effected will be a great relief now that major source of income of average families are on the lockdown as the markets,  motor parks, airports and land borders have been closed down to avoid the epidemic being spread to nooks and cranies of the country side.

It said the level of compliance might not be that effective in a situation where a family do not have anything at home to fall back on, saying this could make mess of all efforts at containment, hence the need to take the welfare of the masses into serious consideration and encourage local administrators to come up with a well coordinated Task- Force that will help in all sensitisation and enforcements.

The Former Local Government Chairmen in a press statement jointly signed by its National President, Albert Asipa and National Secretary, Hon. Sahabo Aliyu Gurin commended the efforts of the Lagos and Ogun State Governors and their teams for measures put in place to contain the virus. 

"The States urgently need to support the 774 Local Governments with funds to pursue sensitization/awareness at the grassroots, if possible to set up mini isolation centre".the association appealed. 

The group seized the opportunity to alert  health workers across the borders to be very vigilant as some unscrupulous elements would now use our borders to gain access to the country now that the Airport has been closed.

The release advised Nigerians to take necessary precautions as advised by health experts on the deadly disease.