The Permanent Secretary of Ministry Of Agriculture, Lagos State has reacted to the discovered COVID-19 palliative warehouse.
It can be recalled that a mission by hoodlums aimed at looting the warehouse led to the discovery of COVID-19 palliative meant for indigents. Angry Nigerians, thereafter stormed the 600ft by 600ft warehouse to carry the relief materials, leaving nothing behind.
The Lagos State Government was heavily criticized for hoarding the food items, while citizens lacked food during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Speaking on the issue, the Permanent Secretary condemned the looters and stated that the palliatives were not meant for Lagos alone, as it also belongs to a private company and other states.
According to him, the materials were supposed to have been re-packaged and distributed but they had to stop because of the ongoing #EndSARS protest.
In his words;
Do you know that those items also belong to BUA group of companies and Some other states? Lagos State has been distributing its own. It was less than a month that those palliatives were officially handed to Lagos. We had to start doing rebagging and that took us some time. We have given to religious bodies, transporters, artisans, physically challenged people and so on.
Even the community that is looting now were given. And what they have looted belongs to other groups. So people saying we are heartless are really uninformed. It is because of #Endsars that we were told to stop. We do not have to make noise when we distribute because of chaos. It is so sad.”
The Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor also reacted on Twitter.
He wrote,
“This is falsehood. This is inciting. The Gov didn’t lock the food packs in. They’re in warehouse for distribution. Stop inciting Nigerians. Gov. @jidesanwoolu used his personal and State resources to get food palliative for vulnerable Lagosians even b4 Ca-COVID. Promote peace.”
