Benue SEMA dispels rumour of hoarding CACOVID pallatives

The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) on Saturday dispelled rumours making round that it was hoarding the distribution of Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) palliatives in the state.

SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Shior, said it became necessary to respond to the misleading information being peddled on social media regarding the distribution of CACOVID palliatives in the state.

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“Some individuals have insinuated that the Benue State Government is hoarding large quantities of the palliatives. This allegation is baseless and mischievous.

“On receipt of the CACOVID food items, the Executive Governor, Samuel Ortom had directed SEMA to ensure equitable distribution of all the palliatives to the 23 local governments areas of the state, and this directive was carried out to the letter,” he stated.

Shior added that the distribution of palliatives was done by Benue SEMA, Local Government Chairmen, Security Agencies, Civil Society, CAN, JNI, Traditional rulers, Community Leaders and CACOVID Monitoring and Evaluation Team.

He further noted that the central distribution was done at Benue SEMA warehouses in Makurdi for onward distribution to the poorest of the poor at the local government areas and council wards levels by the council chairmen together with the local committees comprising the aforementioned critical stakeholders.

The SEMA secretary listed the summary of the items received and distributed to the 23 local government areas to include:

• rice 4,929 bags 10kg,
• noddles 96,279 cartons,
• pasta 49,029 cartons,
• semo (5kg) 49,029 bags,
• sugar (5kg) 49,029 bags and
•  salt 49,029 sachets.

Shior stressed the need for the public to know that SEMA warehouses no longer have CACOVID palliatives after the distribution just as he appreciated the people of the state for their sustained support to the government.