By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
Lagos State Government has condemned the destruction and looting of the warehouse at Mazamaza which housed the food palliative packages donated to the State government by the Private Sector Coalition against COVID-19, (CACOVID) group.
The state government said the warehouse in question is not owned by the State as the owner made it available to the CACOVID group and the state had been allowed to commence rebagging of food items allotted to it from the quantities meant for South West States.
The rebagging according to the state government was being done to account for each beneficiary receipt, as was required and monitored by the CACOVID team.
In a statement signed by Mrs Abisola Olusanya, Acting Commissioner, Agriculture Lagos State, she said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on September 22nd 2020 formally taken receipt of the food palliatives from the CACOVID team meant for distribution to the indigent.
“The distribution was on-going but had to be halted due to protests, before the invasion of the warehouse today.”
“For effective distribution of the food palliatives, groups such as Transport Unions, Ethnic Groups, Religious Associations, Artisans and Tradesmen Association, Marketmen and Women Association, People Living with Disabilities, Orphanages and Old Peoples’ Homes among others were being used as distribution channels to their members.”
“The State Government however regrets the invasion of the warehouse and appreciate the support offered by the CACOVID group to the citizenry of Lagos.”
The New Diplomat had reported that the warehouses of Cacovid food palliatives were burgled and looted by residents of Monkey village at Amuwo Odofin in Oriade Local Government Area of Lagos state.
Videos of men and women carrying bags of rice, noodles pasta and other items from the warehouse surfaced on the social media, Thursday.
It was gathered that the food items were massive and visuals displayed men and women in their droves carrying the food items. A vehicle belong to OP-MESA security operatives was also seen carrying bags of rice and food items away from the location.
According to reports the looting started early Thursday morning.
