The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has inaugurated a Strategic Committee for emergency distribution of grains to residents of Abuja.
Mahmoud explained at the inauguration and maiden meeting of the committee in Abuja on Wednesday, that it has less than two weeks to conclude its assignment.
She said that the committee was constituted following President Bola Tinubu’s directive, to ameliorate the hardship being faced by the people.
She noted that Tinubu had instructed that a strategic committee be constituted to ensure a transparent and equitable distribution of the grains to vulnerable Nigerians.
she said the distribution would be done through the National Emergency Management Agency.
The minister expressed disappointment with the area council chairmen for treating the invitation to the maiden stakeholders meeting with levity.
Mahmoud warned the chairmen against any act that would sabotage the good intention of the president towards the residents of the territory.
Chairman of the FCT Traditional Rulers, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, assured the minister of the support of traditional leaders.
Credible News reports that the presidential directive came barely four days after a warehouse belonging to the FCT Administration was invaded and looted by hungry residents.
Members of the committee included the Chairmen of the six Area Councils and the FCT, representative of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, traditional rulers, Department of State Service, and Nigeria Police Force,
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Other representatives were from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, faith-based organizations, National Union of Local Government Employees, Nigeria Red Cross Society, and women, and youth groups,
Also represented in the committee are Persons Living with Disabilities, Principals of boarding schools, Civil Society Organizations, and the media.
In a related development, The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to begin the distribution of assorted grains on Friday, 8th March 2024, in Niger state.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security at the maiden ministerial briefing, announced plans to distribute the grains to cushion the effect of economic austerity.
He said the distribution of 42, 000 metric tons of assorted grains like maize, sorghum, millet and garri, will begin in Niger State as a pilot state for the distribution, with the support of the National Emergency Management Agency, the Armed Forces, Police Force and other security agencies.
This is as citizens in the different parts of the country protest the hardship, including high food prices in the country.
