In an effort to assist the vulnerable residents of the Abuja Municipal Area Council,AMAC, the Executive Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, has initiated the second phase of palliative distribution.
Maikalangu who was speaking during the distribution exercise the AMAC Town Hall in Apo Resettlement, on Tuesday, also made made a heartfelt appeal to the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure.
He urged her to consistently consider allocating more resources to AMAC whenever there is intervention from the federal government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Chairman acknowledged AMAC’s substantial population and appealed for additional consideration whenever federal government and FCTA interventions take place. He emphasized the unique position of AMAC among the area councils in the FCT.
“Hon. Minister ma, it may interest you to know that AMAC has the largest population with more people trooping in day and night, may I use this privilege to appeal to you specifically ma, to always consider AMAC more, whenever there’s intervention from the federal government and the FCTA. AMAC is incomparable to other area councils of the FCT.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Maikalangu expressed gratitude to Hajiya Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure for her dedication in flagging off the second batch of palliative distribution. He emphasized that the previous palliative distribution was conducted with a keen focus on inclusivity, as residents from diverse ethnic groups, religious backgrounds, and political affiliations were invited to benefit from the initiative.
He said: “On behalf of the good people of Abuja Municipal Area Council, I want to specifically welcome my dear mother, the Hon. Minister of State FCT, for out of her tight schedules for making out time to flag off the 2nd Batch of distribution of palliatives to the vulnerable persons in our communities.
“Last week, we carefully monitored the distribution of the 1st phase of palliative distribution in this same town hall, where residents of AMAC 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.
Maikalangu also extended his appreciation to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promptly approving the distribution of palliatives to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal. He recognized the Minister of State for FCT for her timely release of these palliatives.
“We sincerely appreciate your quick intervention measures to poor and vulnerable people in our communities to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. You may recall that during the distribution of the first phase of palliatives at this same AMAC Town Hall, residents were invited across the twelve political wards of the Council, irrespective of their ethnic groups, religion inclination and political party affiliation.”
Maikalangu revealed that, in addition to the palliative initiatives, AMAC is actively engaged in humanitarian interventions, such as the Maikalangu Economic Empowerment Program, aimed at alleviating the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in the council.
“May I also inform you that before the federal government intervention programme, the council had been consistent in assisting people through various humanitarian interventions such as the Maikalangu Economic Empowerment Program, targeted at alleviating the plights of the vulnerable population in the council.”
Furthermore, he disclosed plans for the provision of mass transportation to alleviate high costs and support social development interventions. This initiative will particularly focus on non-formal vulnerable groups and the health sector.
He added: “With the support of the FCT Administration and investors, we are confident to work out more ways for the provision of mass transportation to ease high cost, social development intervention especially with special focus on support to non-formal vulnerable groups and health sector.”
“I want to assure you that all these items received here are not for sale and will be distributed judiciously to our people, irrespective of their ethnic groups, religion inclination and political party affiliation. We want to thank you all for coming and we assure you that we will want to continue the good works and show commitment in order to touch the lives of our people. Once again, send our appreciation to the President and the Hon. Minister of FCT for this good gesture.”
