By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday commenced the distribution of 12,000 bags of rice and maize to vulnerable households across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, said at the distribution ceremony in Kwali Area Council that each of the council would get 2,o000 bags of rice and maize.

Wike, who was represented by Mr Bitrus Garki, Mandate Secretary, Area Council Secretariat, FCTA, explained that the exercise was part of the ongoing distribution of palliatives to vulnerable residents.

“You may recall that about two weeks ago, the FCT Administration organised an event where some of the food items were distributed to various groups.

“This includes Area Councils, representatives of 17 Chiefdoms, religious organisations, civil servants and vulnerable groups.

“The feedback we received from that exercise was incredibly encouraging, which is why we are expanding the distribution today.

“Today, we are gathered here to carry on with this noble gesture, aligning it with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims to instil hope for a better future for all Nigerians.

“Under this phase of the distribution, we are bringing the items closer to the people, ensuring direct outreach to the vulnerable groups, taking place simultaneously in all the six Area Councils of the FCT,” he said.

Wike explained that each Area Council would receive 2,000 bags of rice and maize to be distributed to vulnerable households in the councils to support their families.

He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items for the betterment of their families.

He advised the beneficiaries to refrain from selling the food items, stressing that the palliatives were intended to provide sustenance during these challenging times.

According to him, the initiative is an integral part of the Federal Government’s approach to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy which unfortunately has resulted in increased food market prices.

“We recognise the challenges faced by our fellow citizens and it is our responsibility to address these hardships and provide necessary support during these challenging times.”

Earlier, the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Mr Danladi Chia, commended Tinubu and Wike for the support and promised to ensure that the palliative gets to the targeted beneficiaries.

In a similar exercise in Abaji Area Council, Wike, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Aminu, Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, said that the gesture would bring succour to the vulnerable groups in communities.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, assured Wike and the FCT Minister for State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, that the food items would be distributed to the targeted group across the 10 political wards of Abaji.

Responding to the gesture, the leader of the persons with disabilities in the council, Mr Adamu Yunusa, commended the support, describing it as “life-saving”.

According to him, the palliative will go a long way in mitigating the hardship being faced by residents, particularly persons with disabilities.

In Kuje, Mr Lawal Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, who represented the minister, said that the Tinubu-led administration would continue to implement life touching interventions to reduce the suffering of the people.

The council Chairman, Mr Abdullahi Sabo, assured that the food items would get to every vulnerable person in the area. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola