By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud has disclosed that the Administration has received from Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security a total of 44,656 bags of assorted food items for onward distribution to residents of the FCT.
Mahmoud who stated this during the official flag off of the distribution of the food items explained that the gesture was aimed at addressing the biting food shortage being experience by residents in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She also said that an additional consignment of 20,660 bags consisting of 4680 bags of maize, 13,920 bags of sorghum, 960 bags of garri and 1100 bags of millet has been received.
Mahmoud who commended the gesture of the federal government however noted that the gesture would no doubt go a long way to alleviating the burden of food scarcity and high cost of food items on Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable who are worst affected by the situation.
Recall that that price of food stuff in the FCT just like in other parts of the country have skyrocketed and residents are complaining and grumbling.
The palliative measure will therefore go a long way for the beneficiaries.
To ensure seamless distribution exercise, the minister assured that: “I have instructed the relevant Secretariat, Departments, and Agencies, SDAs to put in place the necessary security measures to avert the ugly incidence of the past when miscreants hijack the products.”
She, however, appealed with all residents to conduct themselves in a responsible and orderly manner, and cooperate fully with the distribution teams, so that the administration could achieve success.
In his remarks, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, ARDS, Lawan Kolo Geidam, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his visionary leadership and foresight in addressing the rising cost of food staples and making this critical intervention possible.
Geidam revealed that the secretariat has perfected plans with the area council authorities to develop a meticulous distribution plan that would ensure an efficient exercise, making sure that the food items reach the targeted groups.
The identified groups according to him include the six area councils, Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), Faith Based Organisations (JNI & CAN), and the 17 graded chiefs.
Others include Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), All the widows groups in FCT, All the orphanages in FCT, groups of persons with disabilities in the FCT, Leprosy colony residents, Bwari rehabilitation home, Wako Orphanage and IDP camps.
He further stated that the secretariat has mobilised over 1,000 v
