COVID-19: FCTA kicks off palliatives disbursement to Abaji rural dwellers Friday

By Stanley Onyekwere

As part of measures to cushion the effects of the prevailing lockdown order to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the FCT Administration has disclosed plans to commence distribution of palliatives to less privileged rural dwellers in Abaji Area Council, this Friday.
Making this disclosure, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said the administration would ensure strict compliance of the presidential sit-at-home order in each area council, to pave way for a hitch free distribution of palliative items to the vulnerable in rural communities.
Aliyu explained that the decision to begin with Abaji was to test-run the palliative distribution in regards to security personnel and logistics with a view to improving on any identified mistakes in subsequent area councils.
She spoke during a stakeholders’ meeting with graded chiefs in the six FCT area councils as well as representatives of religious and political leaders.
The Minister had directed the council chairmen, traditional rulers and the religious leaders to suggest the best way that the palliative items would reach those who genuinely need them in their domains at this critical period of the sit-at-home directive of the Federal Government.
According to her, “In our wisdom, considering the daunting task of our royal fathers, considering the responsibilities vested on you, we have come to a stage where we have to sit down with you and rob minds together on how to reach-out to our people.
“The reason for this meeting today is to discuss the burning issue of the palliative distribution to our people seamlessly and the strategy we have adopted. Hopefully, after this pandemic, we will come out stronger.
“By the grace of God, we are ready to go. We have want it takes in our reservoir to distribute to all our vulnerable in the FCT. We felt this is the right time to discuss with our royal fathers on the modalities of distribution. We want to seek your advise from your reservoir of knowledge and wisdom to guide us properly.
“However, we don’t want to expose people to the danger of COVID-19 in the guise of sharing palliative. Therefore, we have drawn up our strategy. It is propose that the palliative will commence in Abaji on Friday April 17m 2020.
“Abaji is targeted because it has the smallest population and one of the poorest area councils in the FCT by our data.
“The outcome of Abaji distribution will enable us evaluate our performance. During the distribution, the security will be mobilized and lockdown each area council to enable us move from house to house”.
Also speaking, the Ona of Abaji who is also the chairman of council’s of chiefs, HRH. Adamu Baba Yunusa, pledged the support of all graded chiefs to ensure the success of the exercise.