As part of measures to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Enugu State government commenced distribution of palliatives across its 17 local governments. Sadly, series of complaints have dogged the distribution of these relief packages, with many alleging corruption and diversion. Arinze Chijioke who visited several communities reports
With the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant effects on the economy and society, governments have had to cushion the effect on its citizens. In Enugu State, as part of measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic, the government commenced distribution of palliatives across its 17 local governments. Sadly, series of complaints have dogged the distribution
A 15-member committee, headed by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Cecelia Ezeilo, was set up to coordinate the distribution. The government distributed food items, including bags of rice, beans, garri, gallons of oil, noodles, cartons of Tomato paste, tubers of yam to local churches to pass on to their members. Since the palliatives were shared, allegations of corruption and diversion have trailed the exercise.
Ezeugwu Victoria, 80, is all alone in her world of misfortune. Before the entire country went into lockdown as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had been indoors. Blind. Old. Weak and Wrinkled. Her day literally begins and ends within the confines of her dimly lit one-room apartment. She calls out for help each time she needs to ease herself and when she wants to eat. On days when there is no one to help with food, she sleeps hungry and only prays to wake up again the next day.
On a hot Tuesday afternoon, Ezeugwu sat on a black wooden mortar at the entrance to her room located at Onuiyi, a community, just one kilometer away from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), dipping her shaky hand inside a pot containing Ayaraya, a locally made dish from Yam and Pigeon Peas.
Beside her lay a walking stick. After dipping her hand inside the pot, it took her several seconds to raise it to her mouth and back again for some more- a clear sign of ageing.
Two years ago, Ezeugwu had someone she called her daughter who always provided for her needs of food, water and ran other errands for her. She had lost her husband years ago. They both had no children.
“She was the only one I always shared stories with. She was like the daughter I never had. We were always happy together and she made me want to live longer” Ezeugwu said, tears beginning to well up in her tired eyes.
But one day, Chiamaka, the girl helping her, took her bags and said she wanted to travel. She did not say where she was travelling to. She did not even tell anyone when she would return to continue taking care of Victoria.
“I insisted that she stay back, but she said no and told me that the angels would take care of me while she was away. That was the last time I heard from her,” Ezeugwu said her voice shaking and tears now dripping down her cheeks and settling on her lips.
The next story she heard was that Chiamaka had died mysteriously after she became pregnant. That broke her world and the thought of who would reassure her of the need to be alive troubled her every other day.
Failed Promises by Local Government
When Ezeugwu heard from her neighbours that the government had decided to provide palliatives across local governments for households that could barely feed during the lockdown, she could not contain her joy. Like others who belong to the class termed poorest of the poor, she prayed to benefit from the packages.
But her hopes were soon dashed. It is well over four months since she heard that her local council had been distributing palliatives to vulnerable households. But no one has come to her doorstep to deliver food items from the government.