BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
The Lagos state government in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has kicked-off the cash-for-work programme for vulnerable people.
Speaking at the flagging off of the intervention programme held at Ndubusi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Solape Hammond, special adviser to the governor on sustainable development goals and investment, described the project as part of government’s response to ameliorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vulnerable individuals and small business owners.
According to her, the project which is a collaborative effort between the state government and UNDP, with the support of Japanese government will be providing grant to 945 Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) to resuscitate their businesses which have been affected by the pandemic and the aftermath of the #ENDSARS protest.
“As the economic fallout threatens households across the State due to COVID-19, cash transfers to vulnerable families reduce risks to socio-economic challenges. This emergency cash transfer programme is designed to help families during this period and to ensure that household poverty does not translate to deprivations for children.” she said.
She maintained that the project which is simultaneously going on across the five divisions of the state is to complement government’s own efforts in deploying assistance to SMEs, newly vulnerable, newly poor and permanently vulnerable people in the State.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, Solape said the cash based support programme will not only ensure that essential needs of beneficiaries are met, but also empower the most vulnerable to become self-reliant and participate in economic activities that boost local markets.
She said the beneficiaries which would be engaged by the State government to provide volunteering services were selected across various social-ethnic group and through the state’s social register for vulnerable people.
While appreciating the United Nations Development Programme, she maintained that government will continue to partner other International organisations, non-governmental institutions and MDAs to sustain this programme and bring into its net more beneficiaries.
Lekan Fatodu, senior special assistant to the governor on sustainable development goals, emphasised the need for citizens to embrace government’s initiatives to improve their standard of living.
“It takes a responsive government to activate a framework and workforce for effective implementation of this kind of initiative,” he said.
“With this, 2,400 individuals including families were given hope for a better tomorrow, likewise over 900 businesses will be sustained to create more value to our economy.”
Present at the event were the representative of Sylvester Ogunkelu, chairman, house committee on SDGs; representative of Lola Akande, commissioner for commerce, industry & cooperative; UNDP Partner, Finpact Development Foundation (FINDEF); Everest Ozonweke, general secretary, Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos; representative of the south-south indigenes in Lagos; and Sola Olatunji, president, Ikale Heritage Development Association.
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