COVID-19: POSITION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PALLIATIVES COMMITTEE SET UP BY THE AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT

There is no doubt that the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged the global political, economic and social systems leading to millions of infections and thousands of deaths. It is therefore commendable that government at all level have risen proactively to initiate policies and programmes to contain the pandemic and perhaps develop a vaccine for its control. It is indeed very hard and difficult but Nigerian Students are optimistic that with the measures put in place there is light at the end of the tunnel.

In the light of the above, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Committee (JCC) Akwa Ibom Axis welcomes the constitution of the local government committees for the disbursement of Covid-19 relief materials and further laud the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for being on top of his game since the outbreak of this pandemic, but do express our total displeasure at the non-inclusive nature of the committee constituted. It is unthinkable, especially since this pandemic is no respecter of persons, class or institutions for the government of Akwa Ibom State led by a seasoned technocrat and manager of men and resources to exclude certain classes of more vulnerable set of people from a committee constituted for the purpose of distributing palliatives to cushion the effect of measures put in place to contain the virus.

Accordingly, after wide consultations with the rank and file of Nigerian Students in Akwa Ibom Axis and other gate keepers in policy formulation to consider our opinion, we do hereby state as follows:

That the scope of the committee should be expanded, of necessity to include the thirty one (31) Worldwide Presidents of local government students association, representatives of civil society organizations, artisans, daily income skilled workers, orphans and vulnerable children, persons living with disabilities (PWD’s), non-indigenes as well Student Union Presidents to cater for students left around the different academic communities in the state that could not go back to their respective homes.

This expanded scope of membership will of cause cater for the interest of those otherwise vulnerable people who rather bear greater part of the hardship occasioned by the lockdown measure.

We demand transparency and accountability in the conduct of the committees business, including a daily public update of the distribution process to reduce all doubt, this implies that the committees in all local government areas of the state must work above board in the location of beneficiaries and allocation of funds/palliatives as well remember that this is not time for politics as NANS JCC Akwa Ibom Axis will hold the committees accountable in any event of protest, partisanship, profiteering and nepotism.

Finally, the state government should continue in the discharge of her oversight functions and monitor the process as well give room to independent and civil society organizations to monitor the process, as the constitution should not interprete to mean abdication of responsibility or completion of activities.

Meanwhile, NANS JCC Akwa Ibom Axis acknowledges the outpour of goodwill and donations by public spirited individuals, corporate organizations and other government officials in support of efforts to contain and perhaps reverse the ugly trend associated with this pandemic. In appreciation, we can assure you that NANS JCC Akwa Ibom Axis under my leadership shall continue to be in the forefront of tracking the allocation of these palliatives as well monitor the entire process to ensure its safe purpose and that every kobo counts.

Comrade Faith Paulinus
Chairman
NANS-JCC, Akwa Ibom Axis
15042020