Merchants making meals costs insufferable, LG chair laments

The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade David, has blamed individuals he referred to as ‘price gougers’ as those responsible for the ongoing hike in food prices.

The LG boss noted that those who take advantage of the situation of the country to make a profit at the expense of others contributed to the prices of food commodities that keep skyrocketing.

Speaking at an intervention programme organised by the council to provide health and financial support for the residents of the local government, David expressed concern about how the economic downturn is affecting people, particularly with food costs growing at an alarming rate.

He stated that there is a growing sense of frustration and anger, as many people are struggling to make ends meet.

He noted that the economic crisis is having a profound impact on the lives of ordinary people, adding that it is causing increasing levels of stress and anxiety.

To lessen the burden of economic hardship on Nigerians, the LG boss urged the government to control pricing and end profiteering.

The LG chair, however, said the council decided to give N20,000 to 1,000 Bariga indigents to cushion the effect of the economic hardship in the country.

He added that 100 pregnant women and another 1,000 residents would benefit from a health intervention and health insurance scheme introduced by the council.

While lamenting that basic necessities like food have become unaffordable for many residents, David said the council would set up marketplaces in each of the eight LG wards for food items to be sold at discounted costs.

He added, “We have selected 1,000 that would be given N20,000 to cushion the effect of the economic hardship. It may appear small, but I know it will do something meaningful in our household.

“After this cash intervention, we are going to roll out another 1,000. The committee will go out and select another 1,000 residents across the eight wards in the LG.

“The committee will select 100 pregnant women from primary health centres and medium-sized private hospitals for our free health intervention.”

In his remarks, the chairman of the Bariga intervention committee, Segun Adesanya said 1,000 cash beneficiaries were selected from all 446 streets in the council.

He noted that the selection process was fair, as people with disabilities, the aged and the poorest in the LG were prioritised as beneficiaries.

“Everybody that is here is because they merit the qualification. We are so diligent about what we are doing and we were fair in the selection of people that are to benefit from this programme,” Adesanya noted.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in February, announced a 25 per cent rebate on fares for government-owned transport schemes as a way to reduce the economic burden on Lagosians.

The governor said the state would be exploring three major avenues to ensure Lagosians get affordable foodstuffs to ease the economic burden.