Only Rivers state has not collected COVID-19 palliatives - Humanitarian minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq

Minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has revealed that Rivers state is the only state in the country yet to receive COVID-19 palliatives.

The Minister disclosed this today November 10, while appearing before a house of representatives committee.

Sadiya who denied receiving money from organisations as COVID-19 intervention, stated that Rivers state’s share of the COVID-19 palliatives is “still waiting for them.”

She said;

“We distributed these palliatives to all the states. We have given out 70,000 tons of grains from the national grain centre by Mr. President.
“We were also given foodstuff by customs and this we distributed around the 36 states of the federation including FCT. We handed over these palliatives to all the state governors for onward distribution to the poor and the vulnerable in their states
“In FCT, we handed over the palliatives to the two ministers of FCT for distribution to the poor. It is only Rivers state that has not collected their own share. It is still there waiting for them.
“We have not received a penny from any organization within or outside Nigeria.
“We only operate within the budgetary allocation as appropriated (budgeted). But we received some relief items from some organizations during the pandemic like food items, beverages. We have not received any funding from any quarters.”