SOME
families in Kaduna have already been forced to eat leaves so as to
survive because the rising cost of food stuff brought about by the
current economic recession, could not allow them have the financial
resources to visit the markets.
A youth
leader, Malam Hassan Ahmed Rufa’i said that leaves such as “tafasa”,
spinach, etc, had came to the rescue of these near-starving families,
while lizards and cats might become endangered specie because some
children were already seen hunting them to provide a cheap source of
protein for their families.
Lamenting
the increasing excruciating economic hardship, Rufa’i lashed at top
political office holders, as well as the rich and affluent people in
communities around Kawo, Unguwan Dosa, Hayin Banki and Unguwan Kanawa,
saying they had the capability to assist the poor in their midst but
were not living up the masses’ expectations.
“Some
of them have gone on Hajj for the umpteenth time, while the money they
spend making such regular hajj visits could have been used to buy food
and feed several mouths. Hajj is incumbent upon a Muslim, once in a
life time, if the person can afford it,” he emphasised.
He
added that, “rice and maize as well as other staple food items have
turned into precious commodities which only the rich and privileged
could afford. Many of our people now feed on leaves, some cannot even
cook the normal pate, they are seriously feeling the pang of an
excruciating poverty. We pray the government should come to peoples
rescue by establishing free feeding centers.
“The
other time, I saw some children chasing a big agama lizard. When I asked
them what they were doing, they said they want to kill it because its
roasted meat was sweet. They added that even cats are longer spared
because it is also a delicacy,” he said.
The
youth leader challenged people in authority to explain how the food
items donated to the state by Hajiya Aisha Buhari, were disbursed,
alleging that there was little of no adequately publicity, if any, on
how the items were distributed.
“People
here are suffering; hunger is everywhere. If you go to the Masjid, you
see people begging for money to buy food. Go to the hospitals, you see
malnourished children everywhere needing medicare and the Doctors will
say it’s either malaria or typhoid that is their ailment.
“Government should please come to our aid. It is capable of taking the people out of this predicament,” he insisted.
culled -thebreakingtimes.com