FCT Minister promises palliatives as cessation of movement takes effect

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has promised residents that palliative measures are being put in place to cushion the effect of the cessation of movement on vulnerable members of the society. The minister, who made this known while addressing the media yesterday, said the FCT Palliative Committee would be headed […]

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has promised residents that palliative measures are being put in place to cushion the effect of the cessation of movement on vulnerable members of the society.

The minister, who made this known while addressing the media yesterday, said the FCT Palliative Committee would be headed by the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, and would be supported by the chairmen of the six area councils, traditional and religious authorities, NGOs and other support groups.

President Muhammadu Buhari had declared lockdowns on FCT, Lagos and Ogun states as a containment strategy against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Malam Bello, while saying the lockdown would be implemented 100 percent, explained that the FCT already has modalities in place to identify the indigent members of the society that will benefit from the palliatives.

“The system of identifying vulnerable people within the FCT community is already in place, using the 60-ward structure of INEC, as well as the traditional and religious authorities. Within every community, those that are vulnerable are known and also, under our Social Development Secretariat, we already have a database of vulnerable people that have been taken care of under the conditional cash transfer,” he said.

Malam Bello reminded the residents of the FCT of their individual and collective responsibilities in fighting the disease.

Quoting President Muhammadu Buhari, Malam Bello said “As individuals, we remain the greatest weapon in fighting COVID-19. So, I’m appealing to all residents of the FCT to stay indoors and abide by all the regulations of the health and security authorities.’”

The minister also said he has tested negative for COVID-19.