By Bilesanmi Abayomi
In a concerted effort to alleviate hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lagos State Government has successfully distributed ‘Ounje Eko’ packs to more than 500,000 families across all Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, announced this milestone during a press briefing at Alausa, Lagos. She emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency and fairness in the distribution process, highlighting that food items such as rice, garri, and beans were disbursed through community development areas (CDAs) and closely monitored by civil society groups, religious bodies, and labor unions.
“We’ve distributed food items to 500,285 families through the local governments via the CDCs,” Commissioner Olusanya stated. “Additionally, 100,000 ‘Ounje Eko’ food boxes have been distributed, benefitting nearly 500,000 families through various agencies and bodies.”
Addressing concerns about equity, Olusanya reassured the public that distribution was conducted without bias towards religion, political affiliation, or ethnicity. She credited the Special Palliative Advisory Council, comprising representatives from civil organizations, labor unions, and activists, for overseeing the process and ensuring accountability.
The commissioner also announced the imminent arrival of 20 trucks of rice from the federal government, pledging the state’s commitment to transparent distribution to mitigate food scarcity challenges.
In a bid to enhance food security further, Olusanya urged residents to embrace subsistence farming, underscoring the ministry’s expanded focus on food systems. She highlighted new departments such as Livestock Services and Agricultural Re-engineering, aimed at enhancing agricultural value chains and improving service delivery across the state.
The renaming of the ministry to include “Food Systems,” according to Olusanya, reflects a strategic move to broaden its scope beyond traditional farming, addressing critical issues in the agricultural sector and fostering sustainable development.