Governors have rolled out social intervention programmes aimed at providing succour to people in their states, especially in the face of the cash crunch and fuel scarcity.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that millions of people across the country, especially those that rely on informal sector for businesses, are now stranded.

Many cannot afford to buy foodstuff or transport themselves to markets or workplaces due to cash crunch.

With this in view, some governors have rolled out initiatives to reduce the hardship although some citizens and the opposition are giving it political coloration.

Since the cash swap of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took effect, Nigerians have continued experiencing nationwide scarcity of the naira following the introduction of the redesigned N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes by the apex bank.

The CBN had initially fixed February 10 as the deadline to phase out old naira notes.

The scarcity of the naira and the lingering fuel crisis have impacted on the means of livelihood of many Nigerians.

Borno

The governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, ordered the release of over N300 million worth of drugs and other medical supplies to government hospitals for free distribution to patients, most of who were facing difficulties in making payments due to scarcity of new and old naira notes.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Professor Mohammed Arab Alhaji, disclosed this while unveiling the drugs at his ministry’s stores located along Baga road in Maiduguri.

Arab emphasized that the drugs must be given free to patients that have no money at hand or those that have problems in accessing their funds to pay for their service.

He said officials would rely on patients to be honest.

“We know some people may have money and still demand free drugs by pretending that they lack funds. They should fear Allah. It is sad that some dishonest people refuse to help those in need,” the commissioner said, quoting Governor Zulum and urging health workers to be vigilant.

Confirming what the commissioner said, a mother of three identified as Fanna said, “I got free drugs at the specialist’ hospital in Maiduguri.”

Kyari Modu, a teacher said he was also attended to at the Umaru Shehu Hospital in Bulunkutu. (Daily Trust)

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