Lagos State governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu has flagged off the distribution of various palliative items targeted to reach at least 500,000 vulnerable residents of the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu at the flag-off held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, said the measure is geared towards cushioning the effects of the fuel subsidy removal which has affected every sector of the economy.
According to him, the distribution would be done in phases to be handled by a special committee set up for effective distribution.
He also urged the private sector to support the government’s efforts in reaching a larger number of residents.
With the move over 2,500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involved in bag manufacturing, food aggregation, packaging, and logistics, while over 25,000 employees of the MSMEs will be impacted.
The state government adopted two methodologies in the distribution which include: bulk food items (50kg Rice, 50kg Garri and 100kg Beans) for groups, and food boxes (10kg Rice, 5kg Garri, and 5kg Beans) for individual vulnerable households.
The governor also said a monitoring committee with members drawn from religious groups, Trade Unions, People with Disability, Civil Society/Non-Governmental organisations, Youth Group, Community Development Councils and representatives of the Lagos State House of Assembly will be constituted to ensure transparency.
According to the governor, the distribution of the food items to vulnerable households will be done through Groups, Institutions, Non-governmental Organisations, Community Development Committees, People Living with Disability and Social Protection Department in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget using the Social Register of vulnerable in the State.
The state government had earlier announced a number of measures which his administration had embarked on aimed at ameliorating the effect of the removal of the subsidy.
The palliative measures which are already being implemented, Sanwo-Olu stated, includes: a 50 per cent reduction in transportation cost in the government-owned bus system and free health services for pregnant women in Government hospitals among others.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries at a symbolic occasion, Mrs Josephine Omolola, vice chairman People Living With Disability, PLWD, commended the governor for the laudable programme saying, “on behalf of the PLWD in Lagos State, I just want to say thank you. You are a father with a golden heart. We appreciate all your support all the time. God will continue to guide you right throughout your administration and beyond.”
