The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Nyesome Wike, explained on Tuesday that the most vulnerable individuals in society were the hardest hit by the fuel subsidy removal, emphasising the importance of prioritising their well-being as palliative distribution continues in the nation’s capital.
He also issued a warning to all staff and other stakeholders involved in the distribution process, urging them to resist any temptation to divert the palliative items.
Lawan Geidam, representing the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) distribution centre in Apo, stated that the administration would remain committed to initiatives that bolster citizens’ confidence in government policies.
He said, “The commitment to sustaining the palliative distribution demonstrates the administration’s dedication to providing ongoing support to vulnerable residents in the FCT. The initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and ensure that essential food items reach those most in need.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, urged the administration to allocate more palliative materials to his Area Council, pointing out that it is the largest of the six councils in FCT. He also stressed that all the materials received have been distributed in all the wards, ensuring they reach those in need.
One of the beneficiaries, a widow named Mrs. Carolina John, expressed her gratitude to the FCT Minister and requested that he urge President Bola Tinubu to fix refineries in order to create job opportunities for people.
She said, “I appreciate the minister, and we are very happy for what he has done for us. We are still appealing. You can give us fish, teach us how to catch fish, and not just give us fish because if we eat the one you give, we cannot get another one.
If you teach us how to catch, we will have the one you have given us and be able to catch another one. So we are appealing that at least some of our refineries be put in good shape so that our children will have work and widows like us will have something to do in the market. We appreciate what you do, but the President should fix our refineries so that people will get jobs.”
At the Bwari Area Council distribution centre, the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), Ibrahim Aminu, who monitored the exercise, emphasised that the administration would not tolerate any act of sabotage by anyone involved in the distribution process.
He said, “Under this phase of distribution, we have brought the items closer to the people to ensure direct outreach. Therefore, no individual or stakeholder is allowed to divert the palliatives meant for the poor. Let them get it.”
The chairman of the Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, urged economically viable residents to allow the less privileged to receive the items. He stressed that “this palliative is only for those who are poor or lack means of survival. Government officials and appointees should not partake in the sharing, as poverty will befall anyone who hijacks the items.”
In the Gwagwalada area council, the mandate secretary of the Area Council Service Secretariat, Bitrus Garki, appealed to residents to support the present administration of President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He highlighted the administration’s efforts in addressing the natives of Abuja’s concerns regarding political appointments and the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, moving towards achieving their long-standing request for state status for FCT.
He commended the present administration for appointing an indigene of Abuja as one of the ministers and for appointing an indigenous youth as the youngest mandate secretary in the country.
The chairman, Hon. Abu Giri, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and FCT Minister, Wike, for the palliative measures aimed at alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people in the council.
He assured that the palliative items would reach the intended recipients and appealed to the FCT Administration to support the council’s development needs.
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