LG Boss, others frown over lopsided Distribution of Mosquito Nets
By Uzo Ugwunze
The Transition Chairman Idemili South Local Government Area (ISLGA), Mrs Amaka Obi has frowned against the lopsided manner by which the just concluded Distribution of Insecticidal Treated Nets (ITNS) was carried out denying some sections of the communities.
Addressing the State Coordinator for ISLGA and the Roll back Malaria (RBM) team who came on a debriefing courtesy visit to Council Secretariat, Ojoto Mrs. Obi said that even herself and all the Councillors did not receive the ITNS.
“Although you people tried by embarking on the ITNS Distribution which was flagged off on August 7,2022 but I got several negative reports that many people who waited patiently in th their houses could not receive.
“On the flag off day we were assured that the ITNS were enough go round every household but some households got the appropriate number of nets, some did not get even one whereas some others got excess”, she quipped.
Earlier in her address, the State Coordinator for ISLGA mass distribution of ITNS, Mrs Gloria Christian said they came to thank the Chairman for their maximum co-operation during the just concluded ITNS distribution.
“Our reports include the list of partially covered settlements which means that cases of the ITNS not getting to some households were foreseen.
“We hope that the State Government, Give-Well foundation and Malaria consortium will do something about those who are yet to receive the mosquito nets,” said Mrs Christian.
The Malaria Focal person ISLGA, Mrs Loretta Olisa apologized to the Transition Committee saying that the mode of distribution specified that only those met at their residence were to be given the ITNS.
“There was a monitoring device to ensure that nobody at the office, market or elsewhere was given except those at home. Unfortunately some of the adhoc staff abused the ITNS distribution process but we are on Net recovery mission,” said Mrs Olisa.
Similarly, the President General of Oba, Rev. Chris Emelie also faulted the ITNS mass distribution process which denied several Oba residents including those who came for the Flag off ceremony from receiving the nets.
“There are many complaints on my desk. They claim they were engaging a new method of house to house distribution yet many people did not receive the ITNS.
“Even on the day of flag off at the Civic center they demanded money if they must share to participants despite the fact that I helped them to woo Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu (Ike Cubana) into become their ITNS advocate in Idemili South,”alleged Emelie.
At Oba Ward 1 behind the Civic center, Mr Anthony Emenanjor regretted spending time with his family members waiting for ITN distributors to visit his Household.
In a related development, former Anambra State Chairman, Nigerian Optometrist Association Dr Chigozie Umeh who resides at Obosi road Nkpor complained that the ITNS was not shared at his street.
“From the day the distribution comenced we did not see the ITNS distributors. I heard that at Uba street they were ringing bell for people to come and collect. Just submit your number they will give you. Some collected several times,” he alleged.
According to Mrs Ogechukwu Afam at the same Obosi road Nkpor, ITNS was not shared here.It was my market neighbor that gave me one from the 10 ITNS she got and another one gave me one because she got more than enough.
