Yesterday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a flexible work plan for civil servants, 25 per cent rebate on transport fares and distribution of food to 300,000 households as palliatives for Lagosians.
Other measures to cushion the effects of economic hardship announced by the governor included free healthcare missions by the six health districts and removal of the N8,000 Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) for enrolment in public schools.
To ensure these measures achieve their intended objective, Sanwo-Olu said a bipartisan advisory team will be instituted to monitor the process, ensure transparency and give feedbacks to the government.
He said: “This team will include myself, the deputy governor, State Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Chairman of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), representative of the civil society, representative of the House of Assembly, religious leaders (one Christian, one Muslim), economists and others.”
The governor, during a live media chat, ‘Sanwo Speaks’, said ‘the measures are to ensure that everyone is touched and can then say the government is truly working for me’.
Sanwo-Olu also urged the people to be hopeful for brighter days. He said protests cannot solve challenges, adding that ‘government has what it takes and is committed to helping the people’.
He added: “It is for us to know that there are difficult times and there will be glorious days, but we need to be strong and work together, showing shared resilience and unity.
“This is not the time to be adamant on profitability, but focus on keeping life alive. It should not be about shareholder value, but about giving back to ourselves.
“We must help ourselves to stay alive before talking of profitability. It is the ability to weather the storms in the hard times that defines mankind and humanity.”
