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 assess people’s perceptions of the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives in Enugu metropolis, Nigeria. The study examined Nigeria’s social welfare system in relation to the palliatives distributed by the government to cushion the hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The researcher studied a total of one hundred respondents, with twenty respondents drawn from each of five different work groups in Enugu metropolis to constitute the sample size. The work groups included petty traders, artisan workers, civil servants, church workers, and motor park touts. The sampling approach adopted was the availability purposive sampling technique, without consideration for socio-demographic characteristics such as sex, age, or educational attainment of the respondents. During the three-week period of fieldwork, a 10-point structured questionnaire was used to capture the broad spectrum of the welfare needs of respondents during the COVID-19 pandemic and to elicit information on the palliatives they received during the distribution exercise. The instrument also served as an interview guide for non-literate respondents. The researcher and five field assistants distributed the questionnaires and collated responses from the study participants. Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings revealed widespread dissatisfaction among respondents with the government over the distribution of palliatives. Respondents expressed their frustration using statements such as: “The government is wicked, heartless, selfish, and insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.” Over 90% of the respondents reported that they did not receive any palliatives from the government. Instead, they expressed appreciation to wealthy individuals, churches, and non-governmental organizations in their localities that provided them with palliative items. The study concluded that the welfare needs of the people during the COVID-19 era were largely unmet and recommended greater commitment, transparency, and fairness on the part of the government in the distribution of social welfare resources.