LASG Flags off Distribution of Food Items to 500K Households

On September 3, 2023, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, started the distribution of food items to vulnerable households to cushion the hardship felt by the removal of fuel subsidy. 

The implementation of the food bank programme was part of the goals of the Lagos State Government to intervene both in the social and economic welfare of Lagosians. This initiative was to reduce the pain of Lagosians, who experienced hikes in transportation and food prices as well.

On the food bank programme, Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration issued an order that transport on all government-owned bus systems should be reduced by 50% while pregnant women get free health services in government hospitals.

During the flag-off yesterday at the Lagos Food Bank Programme at Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu stated that the programme will distribute relief materials to 500,000 households—he also noted that over 2,500 micro, small, and medium enterprises were involved in food aggregation, logistics, packaging, and bag manufacturing, while 25,000 employees of the MSMEs will indirectly be impacted.

He stated,

• 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.

• The distribution of the food items to vulnerable households will be done through groups, institutions, non-governmental organisations, community development committees, people living with disabilities, and the social protection department in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget using the social register of the vulnerable in the state.

• To ensure transparency in the implementation of this intervention, a monitoring committee with members drawn from religious groups, trade unions, people with disabilities, civil society/non-governmental organisations, youth groups, community development councils, and representatives of the Lagos State House of Assembly will be constituted.

• Further to this, 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 would like to use this opportunity to solicit 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. Rest assured that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure all items received get to the intended beneficiaries.

The Governor also expressed concerns about the current economic challenges faced by Lagosians and promised that his administration is doing everything possible to implement measures that will reduce the hardship felt.

He stated,

• Let me assure all Lagosians that we acknowledge the economic challenges being experienced at this time. 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 programs and projects that will uplift our people.