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, 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 one hundred respondents, of which twenty respondents were 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, such as sex, age, and 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 the respondents in the COVID-19 pandemic situation and also elicit information as to what they got as palliative during the distribution of the palliatives. This instrument also served as an interview guide for non-literate respondents. The researcher and five field assistants distributed and collated responses from study participants. Descriptive statistics was employed for 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 assertions, 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 people’s welfare needs during the COVID-19 era were unmet and recommended greater commitment and fairness to all on the part of the government.