Hardship: Lagos Slashes Transport Cost By 25%
. To Distribute, Feed Lagosians With 100 Trailers Of Rice
By Sulaimon Salau
As part of measures to cushion the effect of the economic hardship being felt by Lagosians currently, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said he has reduced the transport cost by 25% on all public transportation within the state.
The governor made this known during a Live Media Chat with the title, “Enhancing Food Security”, noting that though the government cannot do everything and be everywhere at the same time, the decision is borne out of the need to reduce the burden and take off some of the pressure Lagosians are facing at the moment.
Sanwo-Olu said, “First it is necessary to express one’s deepest sympathy with our citizens. To say one does not know what is going on now will be completely insensitive. And I want to look straight into the camera and say indeed, we all have a responsibility to do a better job of ourselves. As leaders, it is not for us to give excuses but to solve the socio-economic problems of our people”.
While revealing that his government is ready to give people food palliatives, the governor said 100 trailers of rice are on their way to Lagos at the moment, and the food packaging and distribution is expected to get to over 300,000 households within the state
The governor said that the palliatives that his administration is bringing will cut across both the private and public sectors and the first one after the 25% reduction in transport cost will be the introduction of Soup Kitchens across all 57 Local Governments and LCDAs that will feed at least 1,000 to 1,500 residents in each of the LGs.
Sanwo-Olu further disclosed that his administration is organising and planning towards opening 42 Sunday Markets where people can go and buy foodstuff at a 25% rebate, stressing, however, that what the people can buy will be capped at #25,000 each.
He added that the pilot phase has already started in Idi Oro market with Lagos State Government working with the Local Governments and leaders of the markets towards a successful takeoff.
The governor further revealed that going forward, Civil Servants from GL 1-14 will only be going to work three times a week while the directorate cadre will only go to work four times a week.
He averred that the State Government is ready to give additional transport support to teachers as they would still be going to work five times a week while health workers can still go on with their flexible work regimes.
While announcing that his administration is setting up an economic advisory team to serve as his Think Tank, the governor said that henceforth all government hospitals will give free birth delivery whether normal birth or through a cesarean operation
Bearing in mind that there are Lagosians whose major needs are quality healthcare and not food, the governor disclosed that the state’s free Health Mission is about to kick off and Lagosians would be given a total medical check-up as well as drugs and others by competent medical professionals who will set up tents across the six divisions of the State.
Appealing to MSMEs, Governor Sanwo-Olu enjoined them to be more creative and give flexible work hours as the situation right now is not about stakeholders’ gain or profit first and foremost but taking care of one another.
“We did it during COVID-19. We did it as a people then. We supported ourselves. It is time to pull together and weather the storm. No situation stays the same forever”, the governor encouraged.
