10,000 C’River Youths, Women Receive NDDC’s COVID-19 Palliatives

At least 10,000 Cross River youths, women and physically challenged in Central and Northern Senatorial districts have received thousands of bags of rice from Niger Delta Development Commission to ameliorate the effects of the second wave of COVID-19.

The bags of rice which were distributed at Ikom had representatives at the event from the youths, women and persons living with disability from each of the 11 local government areas that comprise both senatorial districts.

The Coordinator of the palliatives for the North and Central districts, Hon. Cletus Obun, while speaking at the event, said the palliative is an indication that President Buhari has not forgotten the youths, women and physically challenged persons who have always stood with the party.

Represented by Hon. Ernest Irek in charge of the north and Mr. Dominic Kidzu (for Central), Obun said the beneficiaries numbering about 10,000 hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for remembering them at this critical period when the whole world is being ravaged by the pandemic.

Obun said: “We commend the ministry, staff, and management of NDDC for the gesture to the downtrodden in these perilous times.

“We apologise that the items came late due to some issues. Recall that there were insinuations in some quarters that the bags of rice were either missing or would not come. But we state that APC cannot forget the people of Cross River that are very dear to the party.

“That we have got the items and we have distributed to various representatives across the north and central with emphasis on the youths, women and the physically challenged because of their peculiarities in their communities is an indication of our commitment to fulfilling our promise.

“This is just the beginning of better things to come to the state from APC government. They are other NDDC skills acquisition and training programmes being embarked upon by the commission. We, therefore, urge the youths and women to key into it and be empowered.

“For us here, we shall continue to fight for that which is due us and like Oliver Twist ask for more as the state has contributed immensely towards national development.”

He urged representatives of the various groups to ensure that every eligible person receives his or her entitlements and advised those who are not beneficiaries of this phase to be patient.

A youth leader from Boki, Mr Emmanuel Abang, said: “We thank President Buhari and APC for remembering us this time. We would reach out to other youths and ensure that items are delivered to the stipulated individuals as authorised by the Commission.”

Also in his remarks, another youth leader from Ogoja, Jonathan Abang, said he led others from the north to come down and receive the packages.

Abang said that the bags of rice were being delivered across the various parts of Ogoja Yala, Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku.

He commended NDDC for their humanitarian gesture, admitting that it is now the north has started feeling the commission’s presence.