The chairman of Ifelodun Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Olufemi Okeowo, has appointed an additional 250 special assistants (SAs) and senior special assistants (SSAs) to strengthen governance in the area.

Mr Okeowo disclosed this on Saturday while presenting 2,500 food packs to residents in need and cash grants to petty traders in the LCDA.

Mr Okeowo appointed 128 SSAs and SAs in July.

Mr Okeowo said presenting appointment letters to another 250 SAs and SSAs reflected his commitment to building a more responsive and inclusive government.

The chairman said the appointments formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen governance at all levels and improve policy implementation.

He said the appointments would ensure effective delivery of the dividends of democracy to residents of the LCDA.

Mr Okeowo said the newly appointed aides were expected to complement his achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, sports and social welfare.

He congratulated the appointees and said he was ready to work closely with them to deepen collective efforts to take the council to greater heights.

The chairman said the removal of fuel subsidy had enabled his administration to provide N10,000 conditional monthly cash transfers to 1,200 households across all wards.

Mr Okeowo said the council was also distributing N100,000 monthly ‘OkeMoney’ business support to 100 petty traders and food palliatives to 2,500 households.

He said increased allocations to local governments following the removal of fuel subsidy had enabled his administration to give back to communities.

Mr Okeowo said the development reflected President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s support and commitment to local governments.

He said the increased allocations had enabled the council to provide healthcare, free education, empowerment, palliatives and infrastructure to residents.

Mr Okeowo noted that fuel subsidy payments had constituted a major leakage that drained the country’s economy under previous administrations.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the initiatives as dividends of democracy, a new dawn and a new beginning.

Mr Alli-Balogun said appointing 250 SAs and SSAs would further reduce poverty among residents of the local government.

The commissioner said the entrepreneurial loans in the form of grants to citizens of Ifelodun were also making waves and benefiting residents.

Residents and community leaders applauded the chairman’s grassroots empowerment schemes, infrastructural projects and food distribution.

One beneficiary, John Oke, said the food items would help sustain his family for several days.

Mr Oke commended the chairman for providing the food items and prayed that his administration would continue to progress.

(NAN)