BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – Upon the extension of lockdown by the Federal Government for additional period of 14 days, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has identified 19 extremely poor communities across FCT that are yet to benefit from the palliative scheme.
At the moment, CITAD in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria are currently working with the 19 communities under the Local Rights Programmes.
The communities and their locations according to CITAD include eight in the Abuja Municipal Council namely Gwalada, Tungan Ashere, Tungan Nasara, Dakwa, Gofidna, Jiwa, Jiwa Tsoho and Gwalada.
Similarly, Kwali Area Council has four that include Kilankwa, Leleyi Bassa, Leleyi Gwari and Pai while four were identified in Bwari Area Council that include Paspa, Kuchibuyi, Igu and Guto just as Kuje Area Council has three communities that include Gaube, Kayache and Tukpheci.
CITAD and ActionAid Nigeria said that their recent activities include awareness campaign and public sensitization on COVID19 pandemic.
The organisations therefore called on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq to investigate the situation of the vulnerable Communities and for their immediate inclusion in the distribution of the palliatives.
CITAD also recommended for Civil Societies to be involved as partners in responding to the ongoing COVID19 pandemic owing to their wide reach and sense of accountability to ensure that the desired results are achieved for the humanitarian intervention.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday, March 29, 2020, declared a lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory for an initial 14 days which was extended for another 14 days on Tuesday, April 13, 2020 through a Presidential proclamation.
However, upon the declaration of the initial lockdown, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq announced the setting up of a palliative scheme for over 11million households across the states of the federation and the FCT.
