-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) -By Michael EKOKORUWE:
To cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world and states in Nigeria, elected and appointed political class of Isoko North local government area of Delta State, has presented food items worth over 10 million Naira to eleven clans through the Presidents General of the area to serve as palliative to the stay at home order issued by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State.
Presenting 169 bags of rice, 91 bags of beans, 130 big bags of garri, 65 bags of salt and 260 cartons of indomie noodles, the Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Tim Owhefere said, the food items is joint efforts from Isoko North political class to alleviate the hardship on the people occasioned by the COVID 19 pandemic lockdown.
Hon. Owhefere stated that members of the political class led by Rt. Hon Leo Ogor, member National House of Assembly, representing Isoko constituency, hon. Engr. Oviemuno Oghoore, commissioner for transport Delta State, hon. chief Macaulay Ovuozorie, commissioner Warri and Uwie development Agency and Dr. Barrister Paul Owhe, commissioner DESOPADEC, Isoko ethnic nationality, makes the food bank initiative.
The Majority Leader added that other members are Hon. Emmanuel Okoro, Senior Special Adviser to Governor Okowa on Community and Rural Development, Comrade Felix Ofou, Board Chairman Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba, Hon. Architect Ajiroghene Ogeh, former Commissioner for Housing, Delta State, Hon. Godwin Ogorugba, PDP Chairman Isoko North and Barrister (Mrs.) Evelyn Aluta, Executive Assistance to Governor Okowa, among others.
He maintained that the food items should get to the grassroots in all the communities in Isoko North who voted them into various political offices, adding that this is the time to remember them as the situation is precarious.
Hon. Owhefere urged the Presidents General from the 11 communities of Isoko North to ensure equitable distribution of the food items. He assured of more palliative measures if the items are well distributed.
Also speaking, the Committee Chairman of the food items, Bishop Dr. Ben Eghaire noted that, the lockdown has affected the people of the area which according to him needed timely intervention by the political class.
He stated that the items will serve as palliatives to cushion the suffering, adding that the Presidents General should identify the vulnerable people in the communities and distribute the food items equitably. Eghaire said, little cash will be given to the Presidents General for transportation of the food items.
On his part, the People’s Democratic Party Chairman for Isoko North, Hon.
Godwin Ogorugba said, the food items will be handed over to Isoko Development Union that will distribute them to the Presidents General of the 11 Clans.
He maintained that each clan will receive 13 bags of rice, 7 bags of Beans, 10 big bags of garri, 20 cartons of indomie noodles and 5 bags of salt, emphasizing that the less privilege people in the area, especially the aged men, women and children are to receive the food items.
Ogorugba stated that the food items will be distributed across party lines to all the people, noting that no political member will be involved in the distribution.
He added that the Presidents General will deliver the food items directly to the communities to ensure that it gets to the less privileged people in the area.
Receiving the food items, the President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe commended the political class of Isoko North just as he called on all others to appreciate them.
Amadhe urged the Presidents General to ensure equitable distribution of the items to the vulnerable people in the various communities.
He maintained that the food items gets to the grass root which according to him, are people suffering from the hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown.
He said, Pastors and Traditional Rulers are praying to God to save the people from the pandemic, noting that by the Grace of God, very soon the situation will be over.
