Sen. Philip Aduda, representing Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Sunday, donated 4,500 bags of rice and cash gifts to the residents of the territory to help cushion the effects of the lockdown in the area.
Aduda, while donating the items to some FCT stakeholders in Abuja, said the gesture was aimed at assisting the residents of the six area councils in the FCT.
The senator urged the residents to adhere strictly to government’s directives and the preventive measures outlined by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to contain the spread of the virus.
“This gesture is to cushion the effect of the lockdown by the Federal Government, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The virus does not know political party or religion; the items are to be distributed to the residents, irrespective of their political or religious affiliations.
“We should try to stay indoors, and this must be followed religiously so as to contain the further spread and win the war against the pandemic,” he said.
He also implored the residents to ensure that all hands were on deck to win the war against the COVID-19 pandemic by maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene.
The lawmaker, however, called on those who would be responsible for the distribution of the palliatives to ensure transparency and eschew sentiment in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Mallam Yohana Pada, a district head in Abaji area council, while receiving the donations, thanked the senator for his kind gesture and promised to distribute the items to the vulnerable in the area.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the items included 4,500 bags of rice, hand sanitisers, face masks and cash.
NAN also recalls that Aduda had recently presented 1,000 bags of rice and 150 cartoons of hand sanitisers to the FCT Administration.
