Corona Virus: Grumbling as CAN, Muslim Council Get 20M For Relief, Sensitization

Some members of the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN and Muslim Council in Taraba State are at loggerhead with their respective leaders over the spending and sharing of 20 Million naira released by the Taraba State Government in the wake of Covid-19.

Taraba Truth and Facts Newspaper exclusively gathered that Governor Darius Ishaku had approved 10 Million each for the two coordinating religious organization to sensitize it's members on the ban of religious activities in the state.

Out source in government House said the governor told the leadership of the two groups to use part of the money to provide palliative for it's members during the lockdown in the state.

However crisis began in both groups when some clerics cliamed not to be aware of such fund, stressing that the money never got to them.

Investigations by Taraba Truth and Facts reveals that the Muslim Council claims to have spent the money on sensitization of it's members on Government policy against Covid-19.

" Yes, we got 10M from the government to talk to our people on the need to stay at home during this Corona Virus and we have spent it for that purpose.

"We spent 6.5M to visit all the 16 Local governments in the state on sensitizing our clerics and we spent 1.5M for transportation to the 16 Local government, so we have 2M remaining. And I can tell you our leadership have not decided on what to do with it. 

"It's not true that we didn't carry our people along but you know people will still complain, those talking are not members of the Council." A source within the Muslim Council told our reporter.

In the Christian fold the money is said to be causing heated argument as some members are pointing accusing finger on its leadership of not using the money for it's purposes.

A Pastor who does not want his name in print said the money was shared among the CAN Excos in the state.

"The money was given to all Churches in the state but the CAN Excos shared it, some of us were not carried along and we were not part of any sensitization program, infact I doubt if there was any. The money was simply shared."

Although Taraba Truth and Facts gathered that some Christian leaders in the three senatorial district acknowledged the money, many in the Local governments said they never knew such fund was released for them.

A top ranking member of CAN told this newspaper that the money was used strictly for it purpose, adding that all blocs making up of CAN in the state were carried along.

The top member who pleaded not to be name said not all churches in the state are under CAN "so if you have people saying this don't be surprised, I will just asked them to join CAN."

Asked if he was aware of any program to sensitize members on Covid-19, The top member denied knowledge of any program of such saying CAN has its own method of reaching out to it's members.