Why some pressure -reducing measures yet to be effective — Gov’s Aide
By Aderonke Ojediran/Oluwatope Lawanson
The Lagos State Government says modalities are underway for the implementation of its other promised interventions to reduce the current economic hardship in the country.
Mr Gbenga Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Sanwo-Olu had at different times introduced measures to alleviate hardship in the wake of the Federal Government’s removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol.
As hardship continued due to rising cost of living, Sanwo-Olu, at a media parley on Thursday, announced more measures to cushion the effect of the hard times on the masses.
The governor announced the reduction of public servants’ days at work physically, as part of plans to lessen their cost of living.
On the rising cost of food, Sanwo-Olu said that his administration would open more markets where Lagos residents could buy food items at discounted rates.
He added that the 25 per cent reduction on transport services had started for the state public transport system (BRT, Train, Ferry).
The governor noted that his administration was also in discussions with various transport unions to reduce their fares.
Speaking to NAN, Akosile expressed optimism that before the end of the week, proper modalities would have been structured for the implementation of interventions yet to be implemented.
Akosile said, “We await the Head of Service to put the modalities together.
“Government has made a pronouncement but proper modalities should be in place.
“So even for the workers, they cannot just start staying at home without getting memo from Head of Service to that effect.
“This is civil service, and proper planning and modalities must be put in place.”
Akosile assured that the governor was committed to alleviating the plights of the people.
He called on the people to come together and join hands with to overcome the current economic challenge.
The CPS disclosed that the committee set up by the governor had been inaugurated for implementation of other interventions.
“Thereafter, they’ll come out with the modalities for the implementation of the governor’s pronouncements.
“After the pronouncement, we need to do our paperwork so as to ensure that we get everything ready before we roll out,” he said.
On palliatives, Akosile urged residents to be patient, adding that government planned to reach out to well over 300,000 homes.
“We will ensure that our people can feed from this moment to the time that this inflation trend will slide,”
Akosile said modalities were already being put in place to ensure that teachers, who needed to be in school everyday, were also well taken care of.
“The governor cares a lot about everyone, teachers and medical personnel inclusive. Therefore, he (Sanwo-Olu)will not leave anybody out of the equation,
“He feels their pains too, and will ensure that they don’t suffer,” he said.
He urged the people to remain calm while assuring that government was working day and night to ensure a workable solution at the end of the day.
Similarly, Mr Adesegun Ogundeji, a Director in the Department of Public Affairs, Ministry of Information and Strategy, told NAN that plans were underway for the directive to take effect.
“I believe once the modalities have been worked out, every other thing will work smoothly.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle
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