Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to embark on health palliatives by subsidizing the cost of pharmaceutical products to improve the well-being of the residents, especially those in the rural communities.
He spoke at the Police College ground, venue of the 2023 Community Day Celebration organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, under the theme: ‘Community Engagement: A Veritable Tool for Infrastructure Development on Rural Communities’.
The governor explained that his administration is aware of the growing cost of pharmaceutical drugs in the country, and will provide subvention to citizens on medical products as it was done in the transportation sector as we as food distributions.
“We are not going to leave you in various communities, we will continue to provide amenities for all of you in rural areas, we are not going to stay at the Ikoyi and Island axis. We are going to reach out to all the nooks and crannies of the State.
“Today, we are here to appreciate you and thank you for your efforts aimed at developing the grassroots. As you know, we have slashed the transport fare We have provided palliatives of foodstuff. We are going to do more. But the cost of drugs is also rising. As a responsive and responsible government, we will also provide palliatives on medicines,” Sanwo-Olu promised.
The governor further said his administration has created a Department of Rural Development. The office, he said, is dedicated to taking complaints from, and addressing the needs of the people particularly in the suburbs.
He added that the event is to appreciate the people of Lagos State for their various self-help projects, which he said complements government’s efforts.
Chairman of the Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC), Alhaji Azeez Amusat, thanked the governor for his support and commitment to the welfare of citizens in the State, appreciating him for the confidence reposed in the council, particularly the distribution of palliatives to the residents.
He, however, appealed to the governor to remember the council’s requests during the last community day celebration, which he listed as a community house, mobility among others needs of the council.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Agbaje, said the theme of the event resonates with the State’s developmental agenda, while also appreciating the LCDAs for their support through self-help projects, which he said has complemented the government’s efforts at delivering dividends of democracy to the residents.
He also thanked the newly inaugurated Amusat-led CDAC for their selfless efforts in fostering collaborations between citizens and the government.
The event climaxed with the presentation of cash gifts to CDAs and grand prizes of four brand new buses to three outstanding CDAs and the best rural area of the year.
Eighteen-seater buses were presented to the first, second and third CDAs namely Greenland Estate CDA in Eti Osa East LCDA, Royal Estate CDA in Egbe Idimu LCDA, and Elepe Royal Estate in Ikorodu Council Area, while the best rural community award went to Araromi CDA in Ibeju Lekki LCDA.
Consolation prices of N500, 000 each was also given to the 5th to 10th CDAs.