To cushion the pervasive economic challenges and rising inflation resulting in high cost of living, and increase in food and commodity costs, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday unveiled a comprehensive package of policy measures to ameliorate the pains and agony of Lagos citizens in these trying times.

The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics recently announced that the country’s inflation had accelerated for the 13th consecutive time; this time, inflation jumped from 28.92% in December 2023 to 29.9% in January 2024. Also, the country’s currency has continued to plummet despite the government’s efforts to salvage the Naira. There has been an outcry from members of the public.

The governor, in an address to citizens of the state in a televised interview programme unveiled some policies he described as welfare programs for all Lagosians. The policies address improving infrastructure and health as well as food security.

The state government had offered what appear to be band-aid fixes for the people’s financial problems in the past when fuel subsidies were removed and the Naira was floating. Although economic experts have urged the government to find a permanent solution to the country’s situation.

Speaking on the media chat with journalists from Channels TV, Arise, TVC, and LTv, Mr. Sanwo-Olu announced some policies to relieve Lagos residents that would provide respite for the citizens.

Opening of Sunday Market and Free Food for 1000 people per LGs

Addressing the food scarcity and high prices of food, Sanwo-Olu said his government would open up Sunday markets in at least 42 markets to provide succour to residents. He added that the government is already constructing four food hubs to provide a new channel of food distribution in the state and tackle rising food costs.

He stated that the purchase of the food stuff would be limited to N25,000. He also added that the government would liaise with food sellers and caterers that would provide food for one thousand people in each local government of the state. “We will open Sunday Markets in at least 42 identified markets across Lagos State. You will be able to buy food items at a discounted price. You will only need able to buy items worth up to N25,000”.

“Coupled with the one at Idi-Oro, Mushin, four more food hubs are under construction and 7 other locations in other local governments have also been identified for more food hubs to be developed.We will open soup kitchens/bowls where identified caterers (mama put) at least 1,000, will be employed across local government areas to feed those who need it, once daily.

“Beneficiaries will get vouchers to be able to access the kitchens. We will also be having food purchases and redistribution to people who need it, especially as we are currently expecting about 100 trailer loads of rice and grains”.

25% Cut in Cost of Transportation and Workers Relief

The state governor announced a 25% reduction in transport fares for government-owned transportation schemes as a way to alleviate the economic hardship that Lagos residents have been facing. He said that civil servants at levels 1-14 would be required to work three days per week. This will oppose the regular 5 days in week working schedule the State has operated on before the announcement.

However, workers in the teaching sector will continue to go work five days a week but Sanwo-Olu said the government would ensure there was additional transport support to assist their movements.

“The first thing that we will be doing from today going forward is that that we actually want to start with our public servants, and so immediately from next week, we will be working out a plan where the civil servants from level 1 to 14, we will be reducing the number of days they will be working”.

Free Drugs and Delivery for Pregnant Women

Speaking to the state health care, Sanwo-Olu announced free healthcare services for pregnant women during their child deliveries, adding that the state will be holding free health missions twice a week for the next three months.

“Sanwo-Olu also announced free delivery for pregnant residents in all government hospitals in the state. There is an arrangement for free delivery, including Cesarean Section at government hospitals”.

The governor also promised that his administration “will also give a rebate on some particular drugs at our state government hospitals”.

On Agriculture
Mr Sanwo-Olu also stated that he would ask the federal government through the ministry of Agriculture to agree to the importation of rice for the Imota rice processing mill in the state. He condemned the moribund state of the mill due to the lack of sufficient grains in the country, adding that while the state will do a one-off importation, it would encourage the farmers to further cultivate more without any pressure.

The governor stated that the state would ensure to source for paddies which will enhance the production of rice in the state. “The challenge that we have is feedstock- that is paddies. We have two aggregators- AFEX and Lagos commodity exchange that we have committed to look for paddy for us”

“One of the things that has happened is that paddy is not easily growable in the Southern part of the country. We have farmland in Ogun, Osun and Oyo states but it cannot meet up with the size and capacity of the mill. We realized that up north, there are a few issues around paddy. So for our mill, we are going to be having a conversation with the Minister for Transport and with the federal government. If they can permit us to do a one-off import of paddy for about two vessels. That can take us about 8 to 9 months production of close to 2 million bags of 50kg. If we have that exemption, we can use that to encourage the rice farmers to go back to their farms”.

On State Police
Speaking on state policing, Mr Sanwo-Olu disclosed that men from the Lagos Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), a uniformed security organization founded in 2016 by a Lagos State House of Assembly law, would be drafted into the state police.

The governor further explained that the government would permit the neighborhood security apparatus to carry assault rifles which will motivate them to go above and beyond. He went on to say that the operatives have always been at the state’s disposal to provide intelligence, implying that their integration into the regular police force will improve operations.

“I am an advocate (state police) for it. I believe we needed it like yesterday. And the interesting thing is that we have the Neighborhood Watch and it is still functional, about 6,000 of them. The good news is that I have given approval for us to recruit additional 4,000 of them. And this is job for our youths, our able-bodied men.

“What that means for me is that if they give approval for state police, I have 10,000 men that I can further train and get them ready and these are people that know the entire community, the nooks and crannies. I am waiting for it.

“They provide intelligence at our state security meetings and you can imagine what happens if that is turned around to a proper security agency.”