Fuel/naira scarcity: Lagos govt distributes food, other items to residents

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has commenced the distribution of food items among other palliatives to the people to cushion the effects of the hardship being experienced due to prolonged fuel scarcity and lack of cash from the banks.

Riots had broken out in some areas in Lagos and other parts of the country owing to the trouble of withdrawing naira notes from banks.

This came after the expiration of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s deadline of February 10 for the old naira notes to cease to be recognised as legal tender.

Although the Supreme Court last week ordered that the deadline be disregarded, the situation has not significantly improved. Many continue to pay so much to buy the naira notes to purchase petty but essential things.

The Lagos State’s palliatives were on Tuesday handed out to the vulnerable, peasants and civil servants, among others.

A statement by Tunde Alao, spokesman for the state Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat said the move was to alleviate the hunger that had been the outcome of naira redesigned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the crisis associated with the fuel scarcity.

Speaking at the launching of the distribution, Governor Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his deputy, Hamzat, said the government would be reaching out to the religious centers, non-governmental organizations and other distribution channels across the state.

The governor explained that the measures became necessary to improve the situation among residents of the state, adding that “we are doing this to alleviate the pains and sufferings of Lagosians.”

He also said, “What is inside the boxes are different items for the consumption of the vulnerable society.”

Earlier in her speech, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. (Mrs) Cecelia Dada, stated that Lagos State Government had put together the palliative measure for Lagosians.

She said the state government was mindful of the welfare of its people and the challenges faced by citizens due to the naira swap and the difficulty in accessing money.