The Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, has refuted claims of being in custody of CACOVID palliatives in the state.

The agency, in a statement made available to DAILY POST by the Executive Secretary , Dr. Emmanuel Shior, on Saturday, said some individuals had insinuated that the Benue State Government is hoarding large quantities of the palliatives adding that the allegation is baseless and mischievous.

Shior said on receipt of the CACOVID food items, the Executive Governor, Samuel Ortom had directed SEMA to ensure equitable distribution of all the palliatives to the 23 local governments areas of the state, and this directive was carried out to the letter.

According to him, the distribution of palliatives was done by Benue SEMA, Local Government Chairmen, Security Agencies, Civil Society, CAN, JNI, Traditional rulers, Community Leaders and CACOVID Monitoring and Evaluation Team.

He further revealed that the central distribution was done at Benue SEMA warehouses in Makurdi for onward distribution to the poorest of the poor at the Local Government Areas and Council Wards levels by the Local Government Council Chairmen together with the Local Committees comprising the aforementioned critical Stakeholders.

Shior gave the summary of the items received and distributed to the 23 local government areas as follows;Rice 4,929 bags 10kg, Noddles 96,279 cartons, Pasta 49,029 cartons,Semo (5kg) 49,029 bags ,Sugar (5kg) 49,029 bags ,Salt 49,029 sachets.

“We want the public to note that SEMA Warehouses no longer have CACOVID palliatives after the distribution.

“We appreciate the people of the state for their sustained support to the Government,” he added.