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Nigeria at 60: FCT Minister donates cooking gas, food items to flood victims

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The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has donated 50 pieces of cooking camp gas and assorted food items to residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of Abuja Municipal Area Council, recently ravaged by flood.

Aliyu, who visited the scene of the flood on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the gesture was part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

The minister warned residents to stay off waterways while assuring that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) would approach the Ecological Funds Office for assistance.

Aliyu commended residents of the estate for demonstrating maturity and sense of patriotism during the disaster, stressing that governance was a collective responsibility.

“I came this afternoon bearing in mind all that has happened to residents of this estate.

“Despite my tight schedules, I still find it pertinent to come here in person to commensurate with you over the loss of life of our brother and the wanton destruction of property.

“I am here to also appeal to you as much as possible before any intervention from the  ecological funds office or any relevant government agencies to stay clear of waterways.

“Certainly, this year’s rain not only in Trademore is very heavy with colossal damages associated with it.

“This also tells us to appeal to our brothers in this estate and other parts who have constructions along the water-line to move to higher ground for now. One, it is better to be alive.

“This is not time to trade blame over who construct what on the waterways. But we are appealing that if you are along the waterline, you have to move before something else happens to you.

“So I want to appeal to you that natural disasters do happen without advance notice. It is not within your power or that of government.

“We feel your pains and we know what it means to lose a life. I want to also thank you for your patience and understanding with the government and the situation we find ourselves in,” Aliyu said.

The minister used the occasion to task Nigerians to celebrate the 60th independence anniversary of the country, noting that in spite of the challenges faced by the nation, Oct. 1 was worth celebrating.

“Nigeria will be 60 years tomorrow. No matter the situation we find ourselves, October 1, still remains a day to celebrate.

“To come of age and to clock a diamond age is not an easy task. Whatever anybody will think of Nigeria, we appeal to you to put the country first.

“Country first will move us forward, but patience and collective responsibility will take us further. Nation building is a collective responsibility,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Trademore Estate Phase 3, Mr Adewale Adenaike, commended the minister for her prompt response to the flood victims.

He advised the FCT administration to address the situation urgently before it got out of hand.

Adenaike also stated that the ecological problem in the estate was beyond the capacity of the Abuja municipal area council, hence the need for the intervention of ecological funds office to come to the aid of residents. (NAN)



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