Society Gists

The Ogun State government has concluded plans to commence the distribution of stimulus package to homes across the state starting from tomorrow, Saturday, April 4.

Announcing the state government’s resolve to ensure that the Coronavirus pandemic is curbed, Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that the package would cushion the adverse socio-economic effects of the lockdown directive of the federal government on the people of the state.

The packages, according to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, contain staple food and essential hygiene items.

Residents of the state will be given food items, anti-bacteria soap bars, detergents and hand sanitizers which were produced by the State Ministry of Health to the World Health Organisation’ standard.

The Governor emphasised that the distribution exercise would be monitored to ensure equitable access for the people.

The purpose of the initiative, the Governor emphasised, is to make sure that the people remain well during the lockdown.

The state government said it had finalised plans with all local government transition chairmen on the distribution process.

The packages would be delivered to 500,000 homes, with an average of four persons each.

According to a statement released by the state government, the transition chairmen were expected to “organise sensitisation programmes for people within their LGAs, where they will enlighten the people, as the state government has so far done, on the symptoms and preventive measures of the coronavirus”.

“The chairmen will also ensure that everyone is aware of the pattern of distribution so that all households will be reached effectively,” the statement read.

The state government urged compliance with the ban on large gatherings saying the package would not be distributed at gatherings.

On Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the federal capital territory with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, as part of efforts to limit the spread of coronavirus.

However, Abiodun said he had convinced the president on shifting the lockdown in Ogun state to Friday, April 4, 2020.