The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant in the 2019 elections, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa has enjoined the federal government to look for more alternatives in sourcing palliatives funds and ensure that both governmental funds and others are properly channeled to reach targeted persons.
Bafarawa, who stated this while speaking with Blueprint in Sokoto also called on wealthy Nigerians and salary earners to support palliative funds in view of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic in the country.
He said the call became necessary in view of the fact that some states are civil oriented largely dependent on the federal allocation.
”We have about 4 million population in Sokoto state, about 40,000 are salary earners and the state government depends heavenly on the federal government allocation which has been dwindling.
”Most of the meagre allocation is being expended on salaries, leaving
a high population without the much needed attention.
”With the foregoing on the measures of containing the pandemic, salary earners need to part with some percentage of their salaries to support others not on payroll,” Bafarawa stated
He, however, called on the federal and state governments to ensure that funds and materials are properly channeled to reach targeted persons.
Bafarawa advised the Presidential Taskforce Committee, led by Secretary to the Government of the federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, to expand the avenue of support collections in order to obtain more funds to be able to address the pandemic squarely.
Attahiru Bafarawa, who was also a former governor of Sokoto state between 1999 and 2007, also faulted the measures taken to contain the spread of the dreaded disease, saying the measures have negative effects on economic and social well being of the citizenry.
According him, border closures, restriction of interstate movements, lockdown of airports and other industries along with shutdown of activities, have biting effects on the citizens and the economy.
He cautioned Nigerians against misunderstanding and neglect on the issues bordering COVID-19, stressing that religious scholars should refrain from the mix-up about scientific theories.