Sanwo-Olu rolls out palliative measures, new work days for state workers to cushion hardship

…Announces food distribution, T-fare cut, free medical services, others

…Workers days in office reduced to three

By Moses Adeniyi and Sodiq Adelakun

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has disclosed measures the State Government is introducing in response to the rising economic hardship currently raging in the Country.

Sanwo-Olu, among others, disclosed that measures of food palliatives to residents of the State, a modification to the work schedules of the State workers, and a rebate on state transport services, would form part of the responses of the Government to the growing hardship currently been felt across the Country,  particularly informed by the rising cost of petroleum products due to the discontinuation of subsidy, and the rising fluctuation of exchange rate with a sharp decline in the value of Naira.

Other measures he mentioned cut across interventions with rebates on medical services, new measures on pension administration, and market provisions, among others.

Speaking to the situation, Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, during a live media parley tagged “Sanwo Speaks,” targeted to address the recent economic conditions, disclosed that following the rising cost of living in the Country, a revision set for Civil Servants to work at the office would be reset to permit some cadres to work three days  weekly.

The public servants captured to work for three days weekly under the review, according to Sanwo-Olu, would be those falling under the cadre of level 1 – 14 in the State Civil Service, while those within level 15 – 17 would be scheduled for four days.

“We want to start with our public servants, immediately from next week, Civil servants from the lower level will be working like three times a week and level 15-17 can work four times in a week,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Sanwo-Olu mentioned that the review for flexibility would not affect State Services as it would be anchored on a strategic mode of schedules, mentioning that the measure would help reduce pressure on the roads and the economic tension.

To address rising cost of food items, Sanwo-Olu disclosed his administration would open what he termed “Sunday Markets” across Lagos where Lagosians can buy food items at discounted rates.

He said, “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 be able to buy items worth up to N25,000.”

He added that: “The third level will be that we are doing what we call the Soup Bowl. We want to identify ‘Mama Put,’ caterers and we want to be able to feed between 1,000 and 1,500 in every local government per day, at the first instance between the next 30 to 60 days.”

He further noted that the Government was also constructing four food hubs to ensure food distribution in response to the recent hike in prices of food items.

He mentioned that “Coupled with the one at Idi-Oro in 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.”

He disclosed that distribution of food palliatives would commence soon, as the items for distribution including 200 trailers of rice and other stocks including beans and garri (cassava flake), sufficient to cover about 300,000 households were being expected.

“On the food palliatives, as we speak, I’m expecting over 200 trailers of rice coming from up north.

“Food purchase and distribution that will cover about 300,000 households that will have 10kg rice, 5kg garri, 5kg beans and have other small things like tomatoes in a combo bag,” he said.

On palliative measures for transportation, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 25 percent reduction on transport services will start this weekend for the State Public Transport system through road, rail and waterways, using the BRT, Train, Ferry services.

He mentioned that special provisions would be made for transport support for public school teachers to enable their prompt attendance in classes.

In addition, the Governor mentioned that his administration was also in talks with various transport unions on price control for commercial transport for price  reduction of fares.

On health, Sanwo-Olu announced a free delivery service for pregnant residents across all government-owned hospitals in Lagos.

“There is an arrangement for free delivery including cesarean sessions at government hospitals,” he said.

In addition, for the next three months, all six health districts across the State will commence free medical checks for residents, prescribe drugs, and ensure recommended diagnosis which would run for two days weekly.

Also, the Governor disclosed that on pharmaceutical products, the Government will also give rebates on specific drugs at the State owned hospitals, including  hypertensive and diabetic drugs.

For the senior citizens in the State, Sanwo-Olu promised early payments of pensions to retired civil servants in the State, mentioning that measures have been put in place to address delay in access, to ensure that within a month after retirement, retirees should be able to get their cheque.

“First is to express empathy with our citizens, We are not unmindful of the situation, as leaders, we must be able to solve socioeconomic problems,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Recalling the situation during the COVID-19, Sanwo-Olu challenged the private sector to replicate such broad – like intervention to cater for the pressure on the masses.