An assessment of Covid-19 pandemic palliative and social welfare package in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The primary objective of this field research paper, anchored on social exchange theory is to get people’s assessment of the distribution of the COVID-19 palliative in Enugu metropolis of Nigeria. The study thus examined the Nigerian social welfare in relation to the palliative the government distributed to Nigerians to cushion the hardship occasioned by the COVID -19 pandemic. The author studied a total of hundred respondents of which twenty respondents where drawn from each of five different work-groups in Enugu metropolis to make up the sample size. The work groups were petty traders, artisan workers, civil servants, church workers and motor park touts. The sampling approach adopted was availability purposive sampling technique without regard to the socio-demographic characteristics like sex, age, educational attainment of the respondents. During the three weeks period of fieldwork, a !0-point structured questionnaire was used to capture the broad spectrum ofthewelfareneedsoftherespondentsintheCovid-19 pandemic situation and also elicit information as to what they got as palliative during the distribution of the palliatives. This instrumental so served as an interview guide for non-literate respondents. There searcher and five field assistants distributed and collated responses from study participants. Descriptive statistics were employed in quantitative data analysis, whereas content analysis was applied to qualitative data. The study revealed people’s dissatisfaction with the government over the exercise of palliative distribution. Their assertion using their exact words include “the government is wicked, heartless, selfish and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.†Over 90% of the respondents denied getting any palliative from the government and appreciated wealthy individuals, churches and non-governmental organizations in their locality that distributed palliative items to them. The study concluded that the peoples welfare needs during COVID19 era was unmet and recommended greater commitment and fairness to all on the part of government.