The Orile-Agege LCDA in Lagos says the second batch of its exercise to distribute subsidised food items to the less-privileged will commence on January 10.

Johnson Babatunde, the Executive Chairman of the council, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the first batch of the distribution exercise was undertaken on August 21, 2023.

Mr Babatunde said the gesture was to support the weak, the needy, the widow, the fatherless, the aged and other vulnerable persons.

“We are doing this second batch of our food subsidy now because we know that January is always a month that many complain of hardship after spending hugely for the Yuletide. The second batch of the exercise had to be hastened up in order to alleviate difficulties associated with the month of January. 

“Since yesterday and all through the night, we have started packaging our subsidised yam, rice, beans and cassava grains (garri) as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering at a time like this. We have purchased trailer loads of tubers of yam and many other food items,” Mr Babatunde said. 

He added, “When we look at the country, what is most important now is food. Food is the most important of the three basic life necessities. 

“You can still live if you don’t have a house (shelter) or clothing, but once there is no food, life is at risk. Once our people solve the issue of food, their problem is minimal.”

The council chairman said a big tuber of yam bought for N3000 or N3,500 in the market would be sold for N1,000, and a paint of garri bought for N1,500 or N1,600 in the market would be sold for N700.

He also mentioned that a standard measure of rice would be sold for N450 while beans would be sold for N400.

According to Mr Babatunde, more than 10,000 indigent people will get a package of all these food items for N4,500. He said that a package would comprise four standard measures of rice, four measures of beans, a paint bucket of garri, and one big tuber of yam.

“It is a way of assisting the community and the people. We did the first one, and people were elated about it. We are motivated to do more because people have been anxious for it,” he said.

According to him, for the relief to reach the targeted people, the council will distribute the package through the leadership of the 53 community development associations in the area.

“Our target people are the less-privileged, and we know the CDAs know them,” Mr Babatunde explained.

Mr Babatunde said his gesture would also take care of the political class in each ward, hospitals, police, local government staff, and critical community stakeholders.

He urged the people to cooperate with the present government so it could proffer solutions to the sufferings of the less privileged. 

(NAN)