…Coalition assures Nigerians of Transparency, Accountability and Equity in distribution process
…KPMG is our external auditor for the process-CACOVID
…Coalition to share external audit reports with the general public
By FOLUSHO ALADE, ABUJA
The Coalition against Covid-19 (CACOVID) has called for calm amid the widespread looting of Covid-19 palliatives meant for distribution in various states of the Federation.
A Press release from CACOVID signed by OSITA NWANISOBI on behalf of the Coalition said “it is deeply concerned by the events and urging those involved to immediately desist from the wanton destruction”
The Private sector driven Coalition said it has been working with all states governors, the FCT minister and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to procure and distribute relief items to 2 million most vulnerable families, (10 million Nigerians) across the 774 local government areas of the country as part of the private sector support to the National response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
However, due to the sheer scale of the food program and the lockdown protocols during the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria, the Coalition said it adopted a staggered distribution method to enable an orderly delivery to the needy with support from the states through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
According to the Press statement, the first delivery could not start until June but as at October, 2020, a sizeable portion of the items had been delivered but yet to be distributed by the Governors.
CACOVID said it is deeply saddened by the looting incidents which have deprived intended beneficiaries of the opportunity of benefiting from CACOVID good intentions.
According to the Coalition “we are aware that official flag-off and hand-over of the palliatives has taken place in 28 states and the FCT and state government has been distributing at various paces”
“As at October 26, 2020, some states government have confirmed completion of their distribution while others were in the process of proceeding with the distribution before these looting took place”. The statement said.
CACOVID also reiterated its commitments to transparency, accountability and equity in the distribution process with the engagement of KPMG as external auditors with a promise to share the external audit reports of their spending and CACOVID activities with Nigerians.
“In line with our earlier promise, KPMG professional services, our external auditors are at the verge of completing the audit of all contributions from our donors as well as listing of all medical and food items procured with their funds”
“We will be sharing the external audit report of our spending alongside a full report of CACOVID activities including deliveries and planned flag-off dates of our donations with Nigerians” the coalition promised.
CACOVID in the statement appeals for calm to allow states proceed with their palliatives distribution peacefully.
“In light of these unsavoury developments we would like to appeal for calm and for states to be allowed to proceed with their palliatives distribution peacefully even as each state will undoubtedly keep its citizens abreast of the distribution process to ensure transparency, accountability and equity”
“We urge all to be law-abiding, to be our brothers and sisters keepers and to end the raiding of the warehouses”. CACOVID appealed.
While urging the general public to disregard any unauthorised sources of information regarding the Coalition, CACOVID confirms the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the only authorised platform of communication to the general public on behalf of the Coalition against Covid-19 (CACOVID).
“The Coalition disavows and urges the public to disregard any unauthorised source of information regarding the current issue”
“CACOVID confirms this platform as the only one authorised to communicate on behalf of the group”. The statement concluded.
Coalition against Covid-19 (CACOVID) is a Private sector driven initiative to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and provide succour to millions of vulnerable Nigerian families.
It was launched on March 26, 2020, following an announcement made by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, GODWIN EMEFIELE.
It members are drawn from the organised Private sector.
