The Lagos State Government has said no fewer than 1,681 low income earners will benefit from its financial support, in addition to 2,000 others that have benefited from the distribution of food palliative.
The initiatives are part of measures put in place by the state government to cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.
Dr Afolabi Tajudeen, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, disclosed this during a news conference on Monday.
The news conference was in commemoration of the first year of Sanwo-Oluâs second term in office.
According to Tajudeen, so far, government has expended one billion Naira on the initiative, to cushion the effect of the current economic situation in the country.
âSignificant achievement has been recorded as social intervention programmes in the state in the last one year.
âThe âSanwo-Olu Listensâ programme is a social welfare programme designed to provide financial assistance to vulnerable citizens in Lagos State.
âIt has been sustained for five consecutive years. It is a fact that Lagos state is not immunned to the ever increasing poverty rate in Nigeria.
âDuring the period under review, a total of 1,681 vulnerable residents were assisted in one way or the other,â he said.
On how beneficiaries were selected, Tajudeen said that a committee goes through the heaps of letters written and select, based on the urgency.
âMy office has a heap of letters, so, what we do is for a selected committee to go through it. We get applications for school fees, rents and other needs, but we give priority to health challenges.
âTo benefit from any of our programmes, applicants must come with their LASRRA identity card and a passport photograph.
âFor health related issues, a detailed attachment of test results, LASRRA identity card and other relevant documents from either a general hospital or well known hospitals.
âOnce we can ascertain the genuinity of the case, we visit the hospitals too. Above all, we give more priority to health challenges because health is wealth,â Tajudeen said.
The special adviser also said the government was working toward feeding primary school pupils across the state.
He dispelled rumour making the rounds about a misunderstanding between the executive and legislative arm of government in the state.
âI donât know where that is coming from because these two arms are interwined. If there is any rancour, things wonât go smoothly in Lagos State.
As we can evidently see, Lagos State is working because of the harmonious relationship we have.
âRumour peddlers should resist the urge to stir up trouble where there is none. As the gatekeeper between the two arms, we will continue to enjoy a cordial relationship between the three arms of government,â he said.
He also urged residents of the state to take advantage of the Lagos CitizensGate Mobile App, which was created as a one-stop-shop for residents.
âThe App is strategically developed as a one-stop-shop for everything about Lagos State, addressing several issues and complains, as well as making enquiries.
âIt will also give the residents and visitors real time direct access to Lagos state government and its activities.
âThey can simply search for citizensgate.lagosstate.gov.ng, the app is on Googleâs play store and will soon be on Apple Store,â he said.
(NAN)
