Muslim group urges Nigerian govt to be more transparent in distribution of COVID-19 palliatives

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights organisation, on Friday demanded that the Federal government be more transparent in the process leading to the identification of indigent and vulnerable Nigerians within communities at the grassroots while handling the distribution of the COVID-19 palliatives.

The group, which questioned the manner names of beneficiaries of relief packages were being collated, made the demand in a press statement signed by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads: “We need to monitor the modalities for selection of indigent Nigerians and vulnerable people within communities at the grassroots. Government should release the names of community leaders who supplied the names of beneficiaries. The parameters for collating names of beneficiaries should also be made public.

“Such yardsticks should be devoid of religious or partisan considerations. It is only when this is done that the system can be described as open.

“We demand transparency in the process. Already, there are allegations of marginalization of sections of Nigerian citizens and people of particular faith in the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives in some states. I think this should not be happening at a time when the whole of humanity faces this horrible monster.

“Exempli gratia, residents of Victory Estate, Iba in Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ojo Local Government in Lagos State have alleged total marginalization in the distribution of relief materials.

Read also: COVID-19: Kano govt disagrees with NCDC, says no new case of the virus was recorded in the state on Thursday

“They complained that not a single pack was received by any of the residents in a heavily populated estate. Incidentally this is an area fully dominated by people of Igbo extraction. Is it ethnicity or partisan politics? The Lagos State Government needs to look into this.

“We have received damning reports from some states but we want to be mature in the way we handle the allegations. This is not the time for parochial approaches.

“We will not name names but state governments where people are being marginalized on the basis of religion should take the cue from this message otherwise they will be exposed. We should not allow the integrity of the process to be eroded by individuals who have selfish interests.

“Finally, we encourage states to set up the machinery for the registration of senior citizens (anyone who is 60 and above).

“This database can be used for the preparation of post-COVID-19 welfare packages for the elderly in each state. Such an arrangement will eject a heavy dose of humanity in our country. We must not be thinking of the present alone. We must plan for the future.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now