As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has donated 50 pieces of cooking camp gas, mattresses and assorted food items to victims of Trademore Estate in Lugbe area of Abuja Municipal Area Council who were recently ravaged by flood.
The minister, who visited the scene of the flood used the occasion to warn residents to stay off waterways, while assuring that the Administration 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 is a collective responsibility.
In her words: “I came this afternoon bearing in mind all that has happened to residents of this estate. Despite my tight schedules, I still finds 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 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 happen 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 loss a life. I want to also thank you for your patience and understanding with the government and the situation we find ourselves in.
