Residents of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have commended the chairman of the council, Mr Sesan Olowa , for distributing food stuffs and other items to the people of the area.
Some of the residents gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
They said the distribution of the items would help cushion the effects of the removal of subsidy by the Federal Government.
Mrs Doyin Ogungbe, a beneficiary, said the council chairman had demonstrated that he was a responsible and responsive leader with the distribution of the food items.
She said that the items received would help her and her family at this difficult period.
“The economy is harsh at this period and people are not smiling. Things are really hard. I thank the government for helping with the food items, it will definitely help me and my family”,she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Yusuf Oladele, also applauded the council chairman for the distribution of the items .
Oladelede said it was laudable that the chairman was utilising government resources to impact the lives of the people at the grassroots.
“I am overwhelmed by this gesture. initially , I had thought it was something small , but it turned out to be a very big package.
“I say a very big thank you to Olowa for his magnanimity and support for the masses,God bless you sir,’’ he said.
Also, Mrs Yejide Adekunle, another beneficiary, said she was grateful to the chairman for the food items.
Adekunle,who is a trader, said business had been dull since the fuel subsidy was removed ,hence things had been difficult in her family.
She said the food items provided would go a long way to help her family.
“People are going through a lot .It has not been easy for me and my family.We are happy with this intervention ; it will solve some problems”,she said.
She,however ,urged the council to make the programme a continuous one so that more people could benefit.
Speaking at the distribution of the food items, which included rice,beans and garri, the council chairman said that gesture was to reduce the hardship caused by subsidy removal in the area.
Olowa added that the council had concluded arrangement to procure high -capacity buses to convey residents to their various destinations at subsidised fares .
“We are doing this ,and taking other measures to reduce the impact of the removal of subsidy on our people.
“We will also be providing back- to school materials, like exercise books and other writing materials to pupils of public primary schools within the council area,to take off some burden from parents.
“There will be interventions in the health sector. We will ensure treatments are entirely free at our Primary Health Centres and people can buy drugs at affordable prices .
“Farmers too will be provided with fertilizers, seedlings and fishing nets, while small business owners will also be provided soft loans to boost their businesses.”,he said.
Olowa said the council would do much more to ensure that residents were not seriously affected by the removal of fuel subsidy.
` We are closer to the people at the grassroots,we are playing our part,complementing the efforts of the federal and state governments ,to ensure our people get succour at this period” he said. (NAN)
