By Abubakar Garba
As part of measures to ease the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA has flagged off the distribution of assorted food items to vulnerable residents.
The Minister of State in the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, who performed the flag-off of over 17,222 bags of rice, 8,400 bags of maize on behalf of the Administration, assured that every deserving family in the six area councils and 17 chiefdoms of FCT will receive these items free of charge.
Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, Mr Austin Elemue in a statement said Dr. Mahmoud also assured that apart from these food items which would be released in stages, government is actively 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 realization of these challenges that the Federal Government has been taking several measures to bring succor 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 receive these items free of charge,” Bunkure revealed in the statement.
While calling on FCT residents to exercise prudence in their daily lives, she noted that the President Bola Tinubu administration is committed to implementing measures that would stabilize prices, encourage economic growth, and promote prosperity and well-being for citizens.
The minister, however, charged beneficiaries to use the food items wisely and endeavour to share with those who are most in need, stressing that Mr. President is striving to reposition the Nigerian economy and win the war against hunger and the attainment of self-sufficiency in food production.
