BY Bilesanmi Abayomi
Mayor Dele Oshinowo, Chairman of the Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), has embarked on a unique initiative to alleviate the effects of subsidy removal on council staff. In a bid to cushion the financial blow caused by the removal of subsidies and rising transportation costs, Mayor Oshinowo distributed 1000 preloaded cowry cards and staple foods among the staff.
The distribution event took place at the council’s headquarters in Lagos on Wednesday, where the Chairman emphasized the importance of supporting the staff during these challenging times. Mayor Oshinowo, known for his community-oriented initiatives, had recently initiated the Lift Intervention Food Bank to assist local communities within the Agboyi Ketu LCDA.
However, recognizing that the council staff also faced similar hardships due to subsidy removal, Mayor Oshinowo decided to extend his support to them. He highlighted that the administration had devised a transport intervention program for the staff, acknowledging that the rising cost of transportation had affected their livelihoods. In addition to the transportation support, the council also launched a program to provide staple foods to its employees, including junior staff members.
The program, which started in August, is scheduled to continue until October. Mayor Oshinowo assured that if necessary, the council would consider extending the initiative, taking into account any interventions introduced by the state government. He urged Nigerians to rally behind the president’s efforts to improve the economic conditions of the country, expressing confidence in the government’s ability to bring positive changes.
Chairman NULGE Agboyi Ketu Ketu, Comrade Ashafa Babalola, praised Mayor Oshinowo’s initiatives, particularly the distribution of cowry cards for transportation and food packs to staff. Ashafa emphasized that this move was a significant relief for employees living in areas with BRT corridors, as it aligned with the state government’s work rotation policy necessitated by increased transport fares.
Ashafa further highlighted the advantages of the cowry cards, mentioning that each card was loaded with 10,000 Naira, which could sustain a staff member for about six to eight weeks. He appreciated the personalized approach, as each card was registered with the staff member’s name.
The newly elected NULGE Chairman praised Mayor Oshinowo as a responsive and collaborative leader, noting the positive relationship between the executive chairman and the staff.
