Lagos begins distribution of food palliatives

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has launched the distribution of food boxes to five hundred thousand vulnerable households in Lagos State.

At the ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the food distribution was meant to assist beneficiaries to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and the attendant high cost of food items.

“These palliative measures which are already being implemented includes a 50% reduction in transportation cost in the Government-owned bus system and free health services for pregnant women in Government hospitals among others. One of the measures which we announced and being formally flagged off today is the distribution of food items for vulnerable households through the Lagos Food Bank Programme,” said Sanwo-Olu.

The governor said the food items were sourced from local sellers in the state to also serve as a revenue generation avenue, adding that the distribution would be done in phases at the five administrative divisions of the state.

Governor noted that, “Overall, this initiative will directly impact 500,000 benefitting households, over 2,500 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises involved in bag manufacturing, food aggregation, packaging, and logistics, while over 25,000 employees of the MSMEs will be indirectly impacted.

“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,” he said.

Each food box contains ten kilogrammes of rice, five kilogrammes of beans and garri.