Lagos gives relief materials to informal sector

Our Reporter

Lagos State Government says it has started the disbursement of relief materials to residents registered as members of the informal sector.

Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke said in a statement yesterday that the disbursement was in continuation of plans to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order.

She said that the relief materials were presented to the representatives of the leadership of the associations under the umbrella of Lagos State Council for Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA).

Arobieke said that the gesture was meant to assist the beneficiaries in feeding their family and other dependants while the order lasted.

She extolled the contributions of the informal sector groups to the economic prosperity of the state and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

The commissioner said that the association of tradesmen and artisans was one of the worst-hit groups by the pandemic and stay-at-home order.

She said that a large chunk of the members were owners of small and medium scale enterprises who relied on daily earnings.

“It is in recognition of the important roles played by the sector that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed that the relief materials be extended to members of the association, to cushion the effect the restriction of movement might have on their means of livelihood,” Arobieke said.

Read Also: COVID-19: FG hands over relief materials in Lagos

She advised members of the informal sector to organise themselves and register their association with the government.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, urged LASCOTA to cooperate with the government in its quest to bring the present situation under control.

She assured them of support from the state, while calling on the leadership of the association to be orderly in the distribution of the relief materials.

The permanent secretary enjoined members of the association to comply with the stay-at-home directive, maintain social distancing and embrace basic hygiene practices.