Hon. Tijani presents N3.48bn budget, empowers 60 vulnerable members of Ojokoro LCDA

The Executive Chairman, Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Hon. Hammed Idowu D. Tijani (H.I.D) on Monday presented the council’s N3.48billion 2021 budget to the legislative house.

Hammed said the 2021 Budget is tagged “Budget of consolidation.”

On his part, speaker of the house Abdulazeez Osho, commended the chairman of the local government for his leadership role in the local government especially during the #EndSARS protest which was later hijacked by hoodlums.

He assured the speedy passage of the 2021 Budget.

On the same day, Hon. Tijani empowered 60 vulnerable members of his constituency.

On occasion of the presentation of second phase of cash empowerment to 60 vulnerable people in his LCDA, he said the essence of the laudable programme was to move several vulnerable people out of poverty by assisting them financially to set up small scale businesses.

He reiterated that 2020 had been a very turbulent year, considering the wave of incidences which characterised the year, adding that the outbreak of deadly COVID-19 across the world, led to businesses shutting down and the #EndSARS that rocked major cities in the country.

“All these negative occurrences naturally affected our people and their business interests,” he said.

He explained further that, “As a responsive and responsible government, our administration took a proactive action with the cash empowerment of indigent people in our various communities.

“During the first phase of this laudable and lofty programme, the sum of N5million was distributed to 50 vulnerable members of the public, cutting across all the seven wards in Ojokoro LCDA.

“Today, we are gathered here again, to witness the second phase of the cash empowerment programme, in which another 60 vulnerable members of the public will be beneficiaries.

“It is very important to clarify the fact that all the beneficiaries were meritoriously selected from all the wards in Ojokoro LCDA, without any form of bias or political and religious sentiments.”

According to him, “Moreover, it is our belief that economy of our Local Council Development Area and indeed, that of Lagos State will improve when all these beneficiaries set up their various cottage businesses.

“On this note, I wish to appeal to all the beneficiaries to make use of the money judiciously, in order to justify our government’s determination to reduce poverty amongst the people.

“Let me assure you that we will not relent in our determination to continue to embark on projects and programmes which are designed to make life become more meaningful to our people.

“This laudable programme will be a continuous exercise, as much as possible and other empowerment programmes, such as vocational trainings and ICT training for our teeming youths will not be stopped.

“Meanwhile, ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ all the beneficiaries, and indeed, the general public are expected to fulfill their obligations to the government accordingly.

“Permit me to use this medium to remind you all, that the second wave of the deadly Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 is on, therefore, we must endeavour to obey all protocols as given by the government.

“The use of facemask in the public has become compulsory, as defaulters will be given a jail term of six months, as recently announced by the Federal government.”

One of the beneficiaries, Ahmed commended the effort of the local government for reaching out to the vulnerable members of his constituency.