Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has inaugurated a 38- man special committee on relief and palliatives to cushion the effect of the partial lockdown in the State occasioned by the Coronavirus Pandamic.
Inaugurating the committee at the new banquet hall of the Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the setting up of the relief panel was born out of the need to cushion the economic effects of Covid-19 on the people.
In a statement signed Ismaila Uba Misilli
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on( Media and Publicity) stated that government are fully aware of the hardship being experienced particularly by the daily earners whose living depends on their ability to go out and mingle with others.
“There is no doubt that the special measures taken to tame the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has put our people in severe economic difficulties. However, these are sacrifices that we must make to save lives”
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said in order to ameliorate the economic hardships brought about by the restrictions imposed to control the Covid-19 pandemic, his administration is obliged to provide support and relief to the people most especially the vulnerable ones in the State adding that his government will ensure that the palliatives reache its intended destinations.
“As people of faith, we are aware that trials and travails are integral part of our lives. We have an abiding faith in the fact that at the end of every difficulty comes some ease. I therefore enjoin us to persevere and continue to pray in order to win the fight against this invisible enemy” Governor Inuwa Yahaya was quoted as saying.
He commend the people of Gombe State for complying with the measures put in place to keep the state safe, appealing for more of such support and cooperation with government officials and security agencies in the enforcement of all the required guidelines and protocols.
While wishing the citizens of the State who tested positive for Covid-19 a speedy recovery, Governor Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya equally paid glowing tribute to health workers in the State, philanthropists and corporate organisations for their solidarity.
The Relief and Palliative Committee which is headed by the Emir of Gombe Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, has the following as its terms of reference
To undertake a general situational assessment and identify the households/individuals that are eligible to receive the palliative support;
To develop an equitable distribution framework for delivering the relief support to the beneficiaries;
To ensure that relief items reach the deserving beneficiaries in all the 114 Wards of the Eleven (11) Local Governments in the State;
To solicit for donation of palliative and other relief materials from the General Public, Private sector organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Philanthropists to complement Government efforts in this regard;
To undertake activities contingent upon the successful completion of the assignment. Prepare and present periodic progress report to Government.
The chairman of the committee and Emir of Gombe, Dr. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar lll assured the Governor that the committee will exhibit due diligence while carrying out its assignment.