Mr. Babatunde Johnson, the Executive Chairman of Orile-Agege LCDA, has announced that the council has allocated a budget of N50 million as relief measures to counteract the impact of fuel subsidy removal on residents.
Johnson revealed this during a subsidised food price initiative carried out across various Community Development Associations (CDAs), motor parks, schools, and wards in Lagos on Monday.
Over 10,000 residents, including the elderly, benefitted from the opportunity to purchase essential food items such as rice, beans, ‘gari’, and yam at a substantially reduced price of N4,400 per person.
While the council estimated the value of these food items at N10,000 per person, they were distributed at a cost of N4,400.
Johnson explained that this endeavour would be conducted twice a month to ensure all interested residents could benefit from the initiative.
“We will continue to enhance this programme as it’s the initial phase of our relief efforts. We are committed to ensuring that all residents gain from this gesture,” he stated.
He noted that 100 food packs were dispatched to 63 distinct units within the council area at a rate of N4,400 per pack.
“Some were allocated to CDAs, while others were distributed to teachers, motor parks for drivers, and the rest were evenly distributed for purchase,” he elaborated.
Johnson assured that the programme would continue into September, with efforts to improve distribution so that more people could benefit from the relief.
Meanwhile, the residents who benefited from the initiative expressed their gratitude to the council chairman.
Mrs. Muibat Modile, a septuagenarian from the Ifako Ijaiye Community, highlighted how the availability of essential food items at affordable prices had alleviated financial pressures.
Modile, who heard about the programme and attended despite not residing within the council area, conveyed her appreciation for the chairman’s palliative initiative.
Mrs. Adekemi Sofola, the Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA) at Omotoye Estate Orile-Agege, commended the palliative exercise, noting how it eased dietary needs without straining limited resources.
Sofola urged the council to expand the initiative to benefit more residents.
Mr. Mathew Oginro, a beneficiary and teacher at Orile Agege Primary School, underscored that the initiative would not only ease financial burdens but also underscore the chairman’s dedication to the welfare of vulnerable individuals.
The subsidised food items would sustain Oginro and his family for a week, and he expressed gratitude to the council chairman for including school teachers in the initiative.
Mrs. Mufuliatu Oyekan, a resident of Ilupeju Tutun in the LCDA, commended the chairman for implementing the initiative, affirming his commitment to the welfare of the elderly residents.
She noted that by offering food items at a significantly reduced price, the chairman had taken practical steps to alleviate challenges stemming from the withdrawal of subsidies, benefiting the elderly community in Orile-Agege LCDA.
