20,843 households, 125,058 individuals, 2,512 MSEs, to get support as Sanwo-Olu launches Lagos Care Initiatives
By Moses Adeniyi
Lagos State on Wednesday witnessed the launching of the State’s brand of the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) Programme for Results (P4R) by the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Lagos State CARES Programme (World Bank) which is designed for the State to bounce back from the effects of COVID-19, will be implemented between 2021 and 2023, and will provide economic relief and recovery support to identified vulnerable persons.
According to information obtained, the programme will specifically encompass three key result areas, which include: Increasing cash transfers and livelihood support to poor and vulnerable households; increasing food security and safe functioning of food supply chains for poor households, and; facilitating the recovery of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs), while strengthening institutional support for coordination and delivery.
It was gathered that during the 24-month period of implementation in Lagos State, the programme will directly support 20,843 households and indirectly support 125,058 individuals.
Report gathered revealed that, there will also be interventions in 69 markets while a minimum of 2,512 MSEs will be supported.
In his remarks, at the official launching of the initiative, Governor Sanwo-Olu who noted that “the programme is designed to be inclusive, purposeful and will impact women and the youth,” hinted that in order to effectively implement the Lagos Cares Programme, the State CARES Steering Committee (SCSC) comprising cabinet members and policy heads shall oversee the programme and provide policy guidance as appropriate.
According to him, as a responsive Government, his administration is “constantly working round the clock to provide interventions, strategies and actions to alleviate the burden of the pandemic on the majority of our “at risk” people, especially in the areas of food security and health management.”
“Today marks another milestone in our effort to combat the negative impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on our households, livelihood, food security and businesses.
“The global outbreak of COVID-19 has changed the way we live, work and interact socially. New protocols have been introduced to ensure our general wellbeing as a people.
“The SCSC will work with the State CARES Coordinating Unit (SCCU) while the SCCU will work closely and relate directly with the delivery platforms of the three result areas for result monitoring and coordination.
“The N-CARES programme is an integral part of the national approach, adopted to alleviate the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, and enhance the wellbeing of our people,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the ability of the members of the State’s CARES Steering Committee (SCSC) who according to him have been part of the main drivers of the agenda for greater Lagos, he however, reminded the committee memebrs not to lose sight of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the State Government as they work on the three result areas.
Governor Sanwo-Olu assured that his Administration will continue to collaborate with other people of goodwill in the public and private sectors, multilateral and donor partners as efforts to deliver good governance to the people continues.
He however, urged all Lagosians to key into the derivable benefits of the Lagos CARES Initiative and cooperate with the Independent Verification Agents that will be deployed to all neighbourhoods to ensure the success of the strategic programme.
