The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday, commenced the distributions of palliatives to poor and vulnerable residents of the territory, as part of efforts by the Tinubu administration to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, who performed the initial distribution of over 17,222 bags of rice, and 8,400 bags of maize on behalf of the Administration, assured residents that every deserving family in the six area councils and 17 chiefdoms of the FCT will receive the palliative items free of charge.
Mahmoud also stated that aside from the provided food items which would be released in stages, the government was exploring other avenues to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
“There is no doubt that the policy has had a ripple effect on transportation, inflation, and an overall burden on the citizenry.
“It is in the realisation of these challenges that the Federal Government has been taking several measures to bring succour to Nigerians, amongst which is the release of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve for urgent distribution to Nigerians.
“We will ensure that every deserving family in the FCT receives these items free of charge”, the minister said.
She called on the residents to exercise prudence in their daily lives, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu, was committed to implementing measures to stabilize prices, encourage economic growth, and promote the prosperity and well-being of citizens.
She, however, urged beneficiaries to use the food items wisely and endeavour to share with those who were most in need, stressing that the President was making efforts to reposition the economy to win the war against hunger and become self-sufficient in food production.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, who was represented by the Director of Operations, Planning and Strategy, Mr Samuel Attang, said the administration, working with other relevant arms, had put in place measures to monitor the distribution of the essential food items, to ensure that they reached targeted beneficiaries in all of the area councils.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Lawan Geidam, said the secretariat would take the distribution of the palliative items very seriously, by ensuring that the palliatives reach all those for whom they were intended.
“The secretariat has put in place an efficient and transparent distribution system to ensure that the process is fair, equitable, and devoid of any form of favouritism or discrimination”
Geidam also commended what he described as the “tremendous efforts” of Nigerian farmers, in ensuring a steady supply of food despite challenges, stating that their hard work, dedication, and resilience had no doubt played a crucial role in cushioning the effects of the economic situation in the country.
As we move ahead in the task of delivering the dividends of democracy, I am optimistic that the commitment, dedication and vision that have been demonstrated by the new FCT leadership, will pave the way for a transformative era that will bring forth self-sufficiency in food production,” he added.
