Some residents of Port Harcourt and its environs have called on church leaders in Rivers State to ensure that the alleged distribution of food items by some churches is not limited to their members alone.
The call is coming on the heels of reports that some churches like the Winners Chapel, have begun to distribute food items to their members alone, as a way of cushioning the effect of COVID-19 hardship.
Reacting to this report, a resident of Choba community, Frank  Ichendu, told The Tide that church leaders should realise that there are other residents of the state that equally need such support like their members.
According to him, this is the time the church should care for both their members and non-members, and show the love of Christ at this time of general hardship.
Also reacting to the matter on a separate phone chat, Felix Worlu, who resides within the Ada-George road axis, said that this was the time churches, especially big churches, should complement government’s efforts by using the tithes and offering to support the less privileged.
Worlu noted that government cannot carry everything alone, and therefore, called on church leaders to show love and care to the needy who might not be their members for the sake of humanity.
Agreeing with the position of Worlu, a widow residing in Rumuosi community of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Nlemchi Michael, lamented that the closure of markets had brought serious hardship on the citizenry, calling on churches and philanthropists to come to people’s aid at this trying period.
She also called on the state government to do whatever they intend to do faster to cushion the hardship of the market closure and restriction.
Meanwhile, The Tide reliably gathered that the Omega Power Ministry (OPM) has started to distribute food stuff to members of the public at Rukpokwu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, irrespective of religion or denomination.

By: Corlins Walter