The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has donated palliatives to victims of a recent flood through the Chairman of Trademore Estate Phase 3, Mr Adewale Adenaike.
Residents of Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of Abuja Municipal Area Council were the recipients of her kind gesture.
While saying that the gesture was part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, Aliyu warned residents to stay off waterways and assured that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) would approach the Ecological Funds Office for assistance.
She also said, “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.”
Adenaike expressed appreciation for her donation of 50 pieces of cooking camp gas and assorted food items and commended the minister for her prompt response to the flood victims and advised the FCT administration to address the situation urgently before it got out of hand.
