The Lagos State Government says it has started the disbursement of relief materials to residents registered as members of the informal sector.
The Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, said in a statement on Saturday that the disbursement was in continuation of plans to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home order.
Arobieke said that the relief materials were presented to the representatives of the leadership of the various associations under the umbrella of Lagos State Council for Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA).
She said that the gesture was meant to assist the beneficiaries in feeding their family and other dependants while the order lasted.
Arobieke extolled the contributions of the informal sector groups to the economic prosperity of the state and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country as a whole.
She said that the association of tradesmen and artisans was one of the worst-hit group by the pandemic and stay-at-home order.
The commissioner said that a large chunk of the members were owners of small and medium scale enterprises who relied solely on daily earnings.
”It is in recognition of the important roles played by the sector that the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, directed that the relief materials be extended to members of the association, to cushion the effect which the restriction of movement might have on their means of livelihood,” she said.
Arobieke advised members of the informal sector to organise themselves and register their association with the state government.
According to her, such information will serve as data and a platform for government to extend privileges and benefits to the entire group.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Boladele Dapo-Thomas, urged LASCOTA to continue to cooperate with government in its quest to bring the present situation under control.
Dapo-Thomas assured them of continued support from Lagos State, while calling on the leadership of the association to be orderly in the distribution of the relief materials.
She urged members of the association to remain compliant with the stay-at-home directive, maintain social distancing and embrace basic hygiene practices.
