• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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BusinessDay

CDAs, NGOs to distribute stimulus packages in Lagos – Lawal

The conversation that revealed Sanwo-olu and Hamzat came ready for Lagosians

 

The Lagos State Government says it is using the no fewer than 4,000 registered Community Development Associations (CDAs), nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and religious leaders to distribute the economic stimulus package for the indigent and the most vulnerable in the society unveiled by the governor last week Friday.

The stimulus, which comes in food packs, will be distributed to every local government in the state to help in cushioning the effects of the 14-day stay-at-home directive by the governor.

Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, explained in a statement made available to BusinessDay that since the exercise began last week Friday, six local government areas including Eti-Osa, Oshodi Isolo, Epe, Badagry, Agege, and Ibeju Lekki have received their stimulus packages, adding that the remaining local government areas would be covered within the next 10days.

“If you receive any product that is not branded, they are not from us. Our rice is the 5kg rice, sealed. Our garri is 5kg, sealed; beans, 3kg, sealed. Other finished products are also coming like the sachet pepper, tomatoes and onions. That is what the State Government is giving out,” he said.

“So far, six local governments have received their packages. I want to assure Lagosians that if you are yet to get the relief package, they are on their way. The people are supposed to be in their local government and in their homes,” he said.

Lawal noted that the stimulus packages coupled with the flagging-off of the neighbourhood food markets in 25 selected schools across the state will ameliorate the suffering the people might experience during the stay-at-home directive.

He stressed that the stimulus package is unique and different from many that are being posted on the social media, adding that the Lagos stimulus package is sealed and branded.

He urged residents to exercise patience as the stimulus package would get to the targeted people just as he urged them to maintain social distancing and good personal hygiene to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the state.

“Again, we let Lagosians know that social distancing is something we want to be advocating, people should just relax, the food will get to them because we understand what the economic situation is,” he further said.

“It is also important for us to provide clarity about the economic stimulus package initiated by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to see how we can bring succour, the social safety net for indigent communities and vulnerable households in Lagos state.

“I am sure you are aware that 200,000 households in the first instance have been earmarked and we are working with the community development associations, religious leaders, and organisations, councillors and NGOs in collaboration with the state government officials to ensure that we get the package to the indigent communities”,  he opined.

He advised all residents of the State to take individual responsibility during this restrictive period by acting positively so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission could be broken in the state.