* Musa

by Pita Chib, Minna

In a bid to reduce the sufferings  caused by the global Coronavirus  pandemic,the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District in Niger State, Mohammed Sani Musa, has flagged off the distribution of palliatives to  members of his constituency

Musa who was represented by his legislative aide, Segir Tafida, on Wednesday said that 9,990 households in the 99 wards of the nine local government areas under the Senatorial District are to benefit from the gesture.

At the symbolic presentation of the items to representatives of each of the nine local government areas, Tafida emphasised  that the senator was moved by the plights of his people who have been suffering due to the lockdown declared by the government to contain the spread of Coronavirus

"You can see what is happening since the outbreak of COVID-19. People are suffering because of the lockdown declared by the government to contain the pandemic. Many people have lost their means of livelihood, jobs and businesses have been affected. People are complaining of hunger. You cannot keep people at home and not cater for them. So, I felt I should reach out to my people and help them. I am touched seeing them suffer."

He gave the  breakdown of items that are to be distributed under the second phase of the palliatives as follows; "We are giving our people 25kg bag of Maize, rice in each pack. The pack also contains oil, salt, seasoning, and noodles for women and children.

"Each household will have one pack. We have a total of 99 wards in each of the nine local government areas. In every ward, there are more than 100 households, which means we are reaching out to a total of 9,990 households in Niger East."

It should be recalled that Senator Musa had in March donated nine hundred bags of rice, over thirty 100kg bags of Maize, hand wash detergents among other items to the people.

On ensuring that the palliatives get to the target beneficiaries, Taf Ida said, "We have put in place a monitoring committee who would be working closely with the committees in each of the local government areas. They would ensure that the palliatives get to the grassroots. Also, we are taking nine days to do the distribution. Each day, we would focus on a particular local government area and make sure everyone is covered before we move to another local government the next day. So, you can be sure that, there would be no room for anyone to divert the items."

Representatives from each of the local government areas commended the efforts by Musa, urging other politicians to emulate him.

"Truly, we are suffering. We are locked down in our houses without food and money. This gesture by Senator Sani Musa is apt. It will go a long way to ameliorate our sufferings," a representative from Tafa local government, Habiba Mohammed," explained.

A representative from Suleja, Aminu Mohammed said, "We feel very happy to have someone who has decided to touch the lives of the common people in the society. We are grateful to Senator Musa. It has not been easy because of the Coronavirus challenge. But, we feel a bit relieved with the palliatives from our senator."

Also, Yakubu Garba from Bosso local government thanked Senator Musa for his kind gesture. He however called on other politicians in Niger East to emulate the legislator.