By Esther Olaoluwa |
More than 1,000 residents of Lagos Mainland Local Government Area have received cash grants, business equipment and food items as the council marked the first anniversary of its administration.
The beneficiaries received cash support, sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, drink-making machines and gas cookers, alongside food items including noodles, eggs, yams and bags of rice.
The Chairman of Lagos Mainland Local Government, Jibril Emilagba, said the empowerment programme was designed to support livelihoods, strengthen small businesses and cushion the impact of economic hardship on residents.
Council Reports N130m in Empowerment Support
Emilagba said the administration had distributed N130 million to artisans, traders, entrepreneurs and small business owners within its first year in office.
He added that the council had also implemented food support programmes for vulnerable residents, including 10 phases of its “Ounje Emi” food palliative programme.
According to him, the council distributed food items during Ramadan, Lent and Eid-el-Kabir and provided welfare support for widows.
The chairman said the interventions were part of the administration’s efforts to fulfil its commitments to residents and provide support to people facing economic difficulties.
Council Highlights Infrastructure Projects
Emilagba also listed infrastructure development among the achievements of the administration.
He said the council reconstructed the Jebba-Tapa-Oko Baba Road with drainage and rehabilitated the Freeman Road drainage system.
Other projects, according to him, included the renovation of U.N.A. Primary School, deflooding and renovation of Kadara Primary School, rehabilitation of box culverts in Ebute Metta East and the installation of 410 solar-powered street lights under the Light Up Lagos Mainland Project.
He also highlighted the renovation of the council secretariat, procurement of official vehicles for councillors, staff buses and market associations, as well as maintenance works on several roads across the local government.
Beneficiaries Welcome Intervention
One of the beneficiaries, Abibat Bamgboye, commended the chairman for the empowerment initiative, describing it as unprecedented in the local government.
“I am highly delighted to be one of the beneficiaries. We sincerely appreciate the chairman because we did not expect something of this magnitude. We pray that other local governments emulate this gesture so more people at the grassroots can benefit,” she said.
The empowerment programme is part of the Lagos Mainland Local Government administration’s efforts to support livelihoods, strengthen small businesses and provide welfare assistance to residents at the grassroots.
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