As mobs continue to loot public and private properties across the nation, a mild drama was witnessed in Lokoja, the Kogi state on Sunday as residents stormed the old John Holt warehouse along Kpata, Old Market area of the ancient to get a share of palliatives.
From findings, COVID-19 palliative, mainly foodstuffs, were warehoused around the busy Kpata market.
Our reporter confirmed that the palliative were distributed across the twenty one local government areas in the state last week for onward distribution to citizens at the grassroot. Each LGA got two trucks load of essentials while bigger local governments got more.
It was noted that the warehouse was not emptied after the distribution. When our reporter called a government official, it was confirmed that the remnants were reserved for youth and women groups. The official said as soon as the groups are properly identified, the palliatives will be shared.
However, trouble started brewing in Lokoja on Saturday when hundreds of residents stormed the warehouse insisting that the remaining palliative be released to them. The agitated residents, however, didn’t break into the warehouse on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, as early as 8am, residents stormed and gained access into the warehouse, freely helping themselves with the palliatives. Normalcy had been restored as at the time our reporter got to the warehouse
In a telephone chat, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed to our reporter that the state government has ordered that residents be allowed unfettered access to benefit from the palliatives.
Fanwo explained that what is been shared to residents at the Lokoja warehouse are the remaining palliatives after the governor ordered distribution to local governments last week.
“The last batch was taken last week because the 21 Local Government Areas had to load one after the other. It was well organized and the people have received the palliatives across the 21 Local Government Areas.
“The remaining palliatives at the warehouse was reserved for women and youth groups in Lokoja. We needed proper listing of the groups but they told us they wanted the palliatives today. It belongs to them. So we decided to give them the palliatives.
“The little rowdiness was quite understandable and we have dealt with that. We ensured the leaders of the women and youth groups were there. Also, security agents were there to ensure orderliness. We are grateful to the people of Kogi State for conducting themselves well,” he said.
Fanwo debunked reports claiming that three lives were in a stampede at the warehouse.
“Because of the large crowd and the anxiety of the people, some people got injured. They are receiving treatment right now while some have been discharged. Conveyors of bad news have gone to town to report death. We have not received any death report and as a responsible government, we will ensure those injured are well treated. They are our citizens and it is our responsibility to ensure their wellness. We shouldn’t be quick to peddle falsehood that could stir public disturbances. We shouldn’t put fire on the roof of our own house. No death has been reported,” he asserted.
Fanwo commended Lokoja residents for their “excellent public conduct” during the distribution of palliatives.
“We have issued a statement commending our people for standing tall in excellent public conduct. We wont tolerate criminal acts. We will protect shop owners and ensure what happened in other states doesn’t happen in our dear state. We urge the people to be calm.”
When our reporter challenged Fanwo on the growing accusations that state governments across the nation hoarded palliatives that were meant to ease of pains of COVID-19 lockdown, he explained that Kogi state government has been distributing the palliatives as soon as it received same from federal government.
“It was a continuous thing over a period of time. Palliatives were shared during the early days of Covid-19 outbreak by the state government. The ones we just distributed now were the last batch we received.”
