COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu rolls out economic stimulus for residents

• 200,000 families to benefit from first phase

The Lagos State Government has unveiled economic stimulus package for indigent and the most vulnerable in the society to cushion the effect of the fourteen days stay-at-home directive occasioned by the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had issued a stay-at-home directive to residents, in order to curtail the spread of the virus.

The stimulus, which comes in food packs according to the governor is to be distributed to every local government in the state, targeting at least 200,000 in the first phase.

Sanwo-Olu who spoke after an on-the-spot assessment of one of the State-owned food banks, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Agege, said that the economic stimulus will reduce the burden of the temporary economic downturn on the citizens caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.

He said the food packs will reach the most vulnerable communities and households across Lagos, adding that, the indigents who rely on daily wages will be given priority in the distribution of the food packs produced for a size of six people per household and expected to last for at least 14 days.

“We are all aware that this is a trying time for our citizens and since the partial drop in economic activities, our government deemed it necessary to reach out to the vulnerable ones in the society. These people are those that fall below the pyramid, the aged and the physically challenged who need to move from one part of the city to another for them to have a living. We felt that as a government, the least we can do is to identify them and give them these stimulus packages immediately,”

“We have packaged dry food stimulus for about 200,000 families in the first instance for a household of husband, wife and about four children. We would be giving bags of rice, bags of beans, garri, bread, dry pepper and we are trying to see if we can add water and some elements of vitamin C. Each ration, we believe is going to be able to last them at least minimum of 14 days so that our advocacy around ‘stay at home’, ‘stay with your loved ones’ will be respected,”

The governor described the gesture as a catalytic initiative with the hope that well meaning corporate organisations and private individuals can step up to complement the efforts of the government.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal had earlier said that the government will be working with the existing database of the state, using the Lagos State Social register and 4,000 community development association registered in 377 wards.