Local Government chairman offers 50% subsidy on food items
In efforts to ease the burden of rising food prices, the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Saturday, provided residents with a 50% subsidy on essential food items.
The initiative, according to the council chairman, Usman Hamzat, aims to provide immediate relief to residents facing economic hardships and was done in partnership with Inspire Lagos Food Market.
Speaking to reporters at the LGA secretariat, College Road, Ogba, where the event was held, Hamzat emphasised the importance of the initiative in the current economic climate.
“I’m just concerned about the fact that the economy is hard, and we need to complement the efforts of the state government. Part of our campaign promise to our people is that we are going to do everything in our capacity to make sure that we’re relieving hardship in the community, and that is what we are doing. So, for me, the joy from my people is what gives me joy, too. That’s all I’m expecting, the happiness of my people.
“This is not the first, this is not the second, and we are not stopping. It’s a continuous thing. By the special grace of God, we are going to be having another one by next week again, so it’s a continuous thing,” the chairman said.
Hundreds of residents trooped to the open field where they bought food items such as rice, pepper, yam, garri, vegetable oil, etc at 50 per cent off the normal market price.
While speaking, the chairman, Inspire Lagos Food Market, Abiola Adebajo, appreciated the LGA boss for his partnership.
“I remember when we approached him (the LGA chairman) that we wanted him to support us to bring this to his local government and the system is that the people bring 50%, we bring 50%.
“We are able to do 50% because of sponsors and donors, and philanthropists. So when we talked to him about this, we said, ‘Can we share the 50%? You bring 25%, we bring 25%, so that the people can buy all these things at half price’. He said, ‘I will do 30%, you do 20%.’ I was really moved. I’m just happy that our dream is coming true.”
The initiative comes amid the rising cost of living driven by the recent fuel price hikes.
The rising fuel costs have led to an increase in the prices of basic commodities, compounding the cost-of-living crisis for many Nigerians.
