Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced plans to distribute palliatives and launch programmes targeted at lessening the impact of the high cost of living in the face of economic issues.
During a live media discussion with reporters on Thursday, the governor presented a range of initiatives aimed at helping citizens who are struggling financially.
Governor Sanwo-Olu declared that more than 200 trailers full of rice and other staple foods would soon arrive from northern Nigeria as part of the relief efforts. About 300,000 households are expected to benefit from these provisions, which will include goods like rice, garri, beans, and tomatoes.
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Additionally, the governor disclosed plans to establish 42 “Sunday Markets” in Lagos, where locals may buy food at reduced prices. “We are going to open ‘Sunday Markets’ in about 42 markets in Lagos,” said Governor Sanwo-Olu. You will be purchasing at a lower price this time. We’re going to immediately give you a 25% rebate there and cap what you can purchase at N25,000 or less.
The state government launched the “Soup Bowl” programme in an effort to assist small-scale food vendors, also referred to as “Mama Put” companies, in addition to offering cheap markets. As part of this programme, the government will find caterers and work with them to serve meals to 1,000–1,500 people in each local government area daily.
Declaring, “Someone that wants to buy N10,000, N15,000, which are the people that we want to take out of poverty, we will give you an immediate discount of about 25 percent,” Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasised the significance of attending to the needs of vulnerable communities.
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The state administration also announced changes to the work schedule for employees who are employed by the government. In an attempt to maximise efficiency and productivity, lower-level civil officials will work three days a week starting next week, while senior-level staff will work four days.
Notwithstanding these efforts, questions have been raised concerning the need for such measures in a state where the state’s reported internally generated revenue (IGR) exceeds N600 billion. Opponents claim that the overuse of palliative care and soup kitchens reflects systemic issues within the state’s economy and governance.
The announcement by Governor Sanwo-Olu comes amid mounting economic difficulties in Nigeria, which are made worse by elements like unemployment, inflation, and the COVID-19 pandemic’s aftereffects. The success of these relief efforts, which are met with calls for long-term solutions to address the root causes of poverty and inequality as well as sustainable economic policies, is still up in the air as locals struggle with growing living expenses.
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