Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Saturday inaugurated the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of the two weeks lockdown declared in the state to check the spread of COVID-19.
Speaking at the ceremony in Muna Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camp in Jere Local Government Area, Zulum said the palliatives were for the IDPs and vulnerable people in the society.
Zulum lauded the people of Borno for their support and the level of compliance so far with the two weeks lockdown declared by his administration to contain the pandemic.
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The governor also lauded the North East Development Commission (NEDC), for donating food items to the state as directed by President Buhari Muhammadu’s administration for it to sustain support to the state.
“I want to start by registering my profound appreciation to the good people of Borno state for their high level of compliance with the lockdown order.
“I have gone around the streets and we have seen how people have complied in spite of the difficulties in complying.
“Even in ordinary times, things are tough for the people of Borno due to the impacts of the Boko haram insurgency.
“The lockdown is no doubt difficult for our people, especially with the Ramadan.
“I will recommend to the high-powered response team that they should consider relaxing the lockdown on Monday and Thursday so that people can meet their basic needs.
“We all know that many people do not have enough food to last them more than a day or two.
“In fact, many of them have to go out to work in order to get what they eat on a daily basis. I have been through what the poor are facing, I know exactly what is there,” Zulum said.
The governor disclosed that the NEDC donated 15,000 bags of rice, 15,000 bags of sorghum and 14,000 bags of millet, while the state government provided thousands of bags of a variety of food and wrappers for women.