Widows benefit from palliatives as food distribution continues in Delta

As part of measures to cushion the effects of lockdown occasioned by a coronavirus, the Delta State Government has extended palliatives to widows and other vulnerable persons in the state.

The distribution of food items, which commenced in local government areas, started with Delta Central Senatorial District on Friday, Delta South on Saturday and Delta North on Sunday, as government officials continued to reach out to people at the grassroots amid the state’s awareness campaign.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was represented by his Executive Assistance on Community Affairs, Mrs. Nkechi Chuwkurah, while speaking at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Council Area, noted that she chose to use the distribution of food items to embark on the awareness campaign in the 10 wards of the council area.

She explained that the exercise focused mainly on widows, who she described as a major vulnerable group, adding, “I decided to concentrate on widows and to remind them that the coronavirus pandemic is real.

“And that is the reason for the lockdown, to enable us save their lives and others. This is a personal project to support my boss because I believe that if all good-spirited individuals join hands together, it will go a long way towards alleviating their pains.

“You can choose to focus only on your community, with 20 people and that goes a long way, but we have to support Governor Okowa, who opened a food bank to help Delta people irrespective of party leaning, as the effect of COVID-19 lockdown transcends party lines.”

Chukwurah, a former Chairman of the council, stressed the need for social distancing, washing of hands and use of sanitisers, saying, “Besides what you have received, the council chairman, Joan Governor, will continue with the palliatives in all the wards.

“Apart from the widows on government payroll, we have not forgotten others who are yet to be captured in the widows’ scheme.”

Mrs. Chukwurah, who is also a member of the food bank committee, further stressed that the food items were crucial to reduce hunger among the vulnerable in view of the lockdown induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, adding The essence is to ensure that they survive the two weeks lockdown, that is why we are not playing politics with this. For those that are not on the payroll, for now, the governor has decided to increase it from an average 200 in each local government area soon.

A widow, Mrs. Justina James, who received a quarter bag of rice and a carton of noodles, commended the government, saying, “God almighty will continue to be with Governor Okowa who has given us a monthly stipend.”

Other beneficiaries including, Catherine Udome, Annie Ossai, Josephine Aninta and others who spoke with The Guardian, corroborated Udome’s views and prayed for God’s continued protection and divine rewards for the government and its officials.