The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has began the distribution of palliative materials to the six area councils of the territory to cushion the effect of stay-at-home order among the vulnerable ones.
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Aliyu said the first batch of the palliative would commence in Abaji area council of the territory.
She said that a truck load of 25,000 condiments and 25,000 bags of rice would be taken to Abaji for onward distribution to the vulnerable in rural communities.
The Minister appealed to residents to support the government to ensure that the exercise succeeds, just as she called on residents to restore confidence in government and governance.
The minister also said that all the structures of distribution would be followed to ensure transparency and accountability as well as fairness to all.
“I thank you very much for keeping vigil over these palliative items. The process is set and we are ready to go.
” Thank you very much for believing in us by ensuring that the distribution of the palliative items would be done transparently to all the vulnerable people the scheme is targeted at.
“We are here at the flag off, starting with Abaji, and I believe all the Ward Councillors and Chairman and the 9-man monitoring committee are here to receive on behalf of their people.
” A truck load of 25,000 condiments and 25,000 bags of rice is set. This brings to a total breakdown of 25,000 for each ward.
“This will be done across the six area councils, giving us a total of 600,000 bags of rice and 600,000 packs of condiments each.
” At least five people per household. This will be done today, but hopefully if it is being prolonged, we will revisit this exercise.
“This is to tell residents to restore confidence in government and governance. All hands are deck to ensure that the poor receive this palliative at home in compliance with the sit-at-home order of Mr. President,” she stated.
Aliyu said that the distribution would be carried out by representatives of Civil Society Organisations, the media, religious leaders, political parties, women groups, youth leaders and people with disability.
Also speaking, Alhaji Abass Idriss, Director-General, FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said no fewer than 700 security personnel would be deployed to maintain law and order throughout the distribution of the palliative materials.
Idriss assured that the monitoring team would ensure that every household in each of the six area councils get the materials, adding that wherever the palliative was dropped details of the household would be documented.
Receiving the items on behalf of his council, Chairman of Abaji area council, Abdulrahman Ajiya, commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the palliative, assuring that the items would be delivered to the underserved people in the council.
“I want to appreciate the minister and Minister of State for this palliative and the residents are in full confidence that the administration is on the right track.
” FCT distribution of palliative items will be different from other states because we are going to observes social distancing in the distribution and we have urged our people to stay indoors.
“They should be rest assured that these items will be delivered. We have constituted our structures to ensure smooth distribution, Ajiya said.