By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on Tuesday, has begun the distribution of food items provided by the federal government to residents across the twelve political wards.
Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr Mariya Mahmoud had last week flagged off the distribution of rice, maize and other food items to residents in the territory.
At the distribution of the items in Apo resettlement town hall, chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu warned against selective sharing.
He said the items wouldn’t have been possible without the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
Maikalangu said, “It is with great delight that I welcome you today on the formal flag-off ceremony of distribution of palliatives to vulnerable persons in Abuja Municipal Area Council. It is indeed very significant to me, since this exercise is intended to alleviate the burden, scarcity and high costs of food for the most vulnerable members of society.
“Permit me to express our profound gratitude to our amiable President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his rapid response to the yearnings of Nigerians that prompted him to approve the distribution of these palliatives to cushion the effect of food shortage in the country.
“May I also use this medium once again to say a special thank you to my mentor the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike and my mummy, the Minister of State, Hajiya Maryiam Mahmoud Bunkure, for her timely release of these palliatives. It equally important to note, that this initiative is aims at addressing food shortages and provide relief to Nigerians in line with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He added: “It may interest you to know that this is not a political gathering, the people you are seeing here today, are residents of AMAC who were invited, irrespective of their ethnic groups, religion inclination and political party affiliation and these people were drawn from 12 political wards of the Council.
“To this ends, Myself, Supervisory Councilor for Agriculture and others will monitor and ensure the smooth and equitable distribution of these food items.
“To ensure a fair distribution process, strict security measures are already in place to avoid theft. You have to queue responsibly and orderly to receive this food items, no thuggery or criminal activity shall be allowed in this environment. If you have any intention to disrupt the distribution of these items today better leave this environment because our security agencies are ready are on red alert to secure and protect the lives of our residents.
“We as a council understand that sustainable development depends on the welfare of our citizens, so we are committed to agricultural revolution, which is very important for us in achieving food security.
“Our administration places greater attention on agriculture, the oldest profession in the world. In few days from now we will distribute essential agricultural inputs to farmers in the rural areas to support a successful planting season and ensure an abundant food supply.
“On this note, it is my pleasure to formally declare this event open as we commence the distribution of this palliatives to the residents accordingly.”
