Lagos creates food banks, targes 500,000 vulnerable households
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagos has flagged off the distribution of palliative items targeting at least 500,000 vulnerable households in an extension of fuel subsidy removal palliatives across the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed at the ceremony held at Lagos House, Alausa the distribution would be done in phases and handled by a special committee for effective results.
He urged the private sector to support government’s efforts in reaching a larger number of residents.
Those expected to benefit include more than 2,500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in bag manufacturing, food aggregation, packaging, and logistics, and more than 25,000 MSME employees.
Two methodologies will used in the distribution – bulk food items (50kg rice, 50kg garri and 100kg beans) for groups, and food boxes (10kg rice, 5kg garri, and 5kg beans) for individuals.
Sanwo-Olu said the distribution would be done through groups, institutions, non-governmental organisations, community development committees, people living with disability and the social protection department in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget using the stateSocial Register of the vulnerable.
The Monitoring Committee members are drawn from religious groups, trade unions, people with disability, civil society/non-governmental organisations, youth group, community development councils and Lagos State House of Assembly.
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Other palliatives
The state government has previously announced a number of measures to ameliorate
the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The measures, Sanwo-Olu explained, include a 50.per cent reduction in transportation cost in government-owned bus system and free health services for pregnant women in public hospitals, per Vanguard.
“I stand before you all today, deeply aware of the challenges that many Lagosians have been facing with regards to the sharp increases in transportation cost and the prices of essential food items across the state as a direct effect of the policy on the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government,” he said.
“One of the measures which we announced and are being formally flagged off today is the distribution of food items to vulnerable households through the Lagos Food Bank Programme.
“The strategic goal of this programme is to reach 500,000 vulnerable households in the state with staple food items using two methodologies – 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 ….
“Distribution will be phased among the various beneficiary groups for ease of the distribution process. In line with this plan, each group will be duly informed of the date for collection ….
“I will like to use this opportunity to solicit for the support of well-meaning and public spirited individuals and organisations for this programme so that more of our people in need of this intervention can be reached.
“Be rest assured that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure that all items received get to the intended beneficiaries.
“The policies being implemented right now by the federal government are difficult but necessary measures that must be taken to reposition our economy on the path of sustainable development and prosperity for all citizens.
“I am therefore appealing for the continued understanding of all Lagosians with the assurance that we will do everything within our capacity to implement measures that will cushion this temporary pain as we continue to initiate programmes and projects that will uplift our people and provide quality living conditions to all.”