The Federal Capital Territory Administration has met the Council of Traditional Rulers to discuss some ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to address the challenges from the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, determined to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on petroleum products and the subsequent hardship being experienced by residents, Authorities of the FCTA is working assiduously to alleviate the suffering being felt by the residents through the provision of palliative measures.
It said arrangements are at finalization stage to access the palliative measures that have been put in place by the President Bola Tinubu-led Government.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said this during a meeting with the Chairmen of the six Area Councils and FCT Graded Council of Traditional Rulers.
He stated that “the Administration has subscribed for 20,000 of 50kg bags of rice, maize, and millet, which would be made available in a couple of weeks through various distribution channels including the Area Councils and Chiefdoms at discounted rates to residents”.
Also, the Permanent Secretary assured the residents that the details of the implementation arrangement of the newly approved policy of students’ loan scheme introduced the by President Tinubu’s Administration to support the education of students in Tertiary institutions across the country would be provided and made available for all in FCT.
He said, “the FCT Administration has put in place mechanisms to rehabilitate the vandalised Abuja Light Rail track to provide commuters with alternative and affordable means of mass transportation.”
Adesola said, these are parts of the approaches adopted by the FCT Administration to provide some relief to residents from the hardship of transportation cost, which has skyrocketed since the removal of fuel subsidy.
He said that, “the Abuja Light Rail would have since been in operation, but for the wanton vandalization of rail tracks and equipment during the Covid-19 lockdown period…The FCT Administration has secured approval for the rehabilitation of the rail system.
“The FCT Administration has concluded plans to flag off the rehabilitation of the rail tracks, and it is expecting the contractor handling the project to complete the job between 6-9 months, to recommence commuting services from Bazzango – Kubwa – Metro station at the Central Business District as well as the Airport to the Metro.”
He said that the FCT Security Committee in its last meeting, directed the Abuja Urban Transport Company Limited to immediately revive its fleet of buses and return them back in service.
Speaking further, the Permanent Secretary appealed to the FCT residents to show understanding with government stressing that President Bola Tinubu-led administration in all his policies so far enunciated are intended for the greater good of the majority of the citizenry.
He therefore urged the Traditional Rulers in FCT to propagate the good intentions and the various interventions of Government to the grassroots.
The Permanent Secretary commended the Chairmen of the Area Councils and the graded Traditional Rulers for maintaining peace and tranquillity within their domains assuring them of the Administration’s support.
In their collective response through the Agoma of Kuje, the FCT Council of Graded Traditional Chiefs expressed appreciation for the information provided.
They applauded the various initiatives of Government to address the hardship in the land.
They also assured government that the message would be appropriately disseminated in their various domains.
While acknowledging the modest improvement in security in the FCT, the Traditional Chiefs call on the Administration to intensify efforts in addressing the menace of kidnapping which has prevented many from going to farm.
