Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Monday launched the Federal Government’s conditional cash transfer to 25000 households in the state, with beneficiaries getting at least 20,000 each.
The governor said disbursement is to assist poor families who are forced to stay at home as a result of COVID-19.
He commended the Federal Government for increasing the number of CCT beneficiaries in Kwara from 10,000 to 25,000, saying the move complements the measures taken by the state to alleviate the consequences of movement restriction.
“At the moment, relief materials consisting mainly of food items are being distributed at the ward level by independent committees comprising traditional rulers, religious leaders and community-based organisations.
AbdulRazaq said he proceeded into self-isolation shortly after returning from the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja in full compliance with the safety protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on COVID-19.
“Until now, I have remained in self-isolation shortly after returning from the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja on March 19.
”This is in keeping faith with the COVID-19 protocol that requires anyone with probable exposure to the virus, especially after travelling to frontline areas, to either self-isolate for 14 days incubation period or get tested to know their status. AlihamduliLlah, I am fine as I have always been.”
The Governor, who departed the event to do an on-the-spot assessment of the Sobi Specialist Hospital which houses the state isolation centre, said Kwara had long started preparing for any eventuality on COVID-19.
He however, added that no preparation is enough because even countries with better facilities and wherewithal are also fine-tuning their strategies and getting more facilities to cope with the pandemic.