Kunle Adelabu
-We have done the needful – Ikorodu Council bosses
A Chieftain of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and former Minister for Works, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, has charged the Chairmen of Local Government Councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) on the need to use the money recently released to them for palliatives, for the purpose it was meant for.
Sen. Ogunlewe, who spoke with THE IMPACT on Monday, confirmed that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave each of the 57 council chairmen in the state N10million each to provide palliatives for the people in the grassroots.
THE IMPACT gathered that some of the chairmen in Ikorodu and other parts of the state used the money as directed by distributing palliatives last weekend.
“The Governor gave each of the Local Government and LCDA Chairmen N10million each to buy palliatives for the people, and every LCDA supposed to do it as directed by the governor”, Senator Ogunlewe, who asked to be quoted, said.
“Some of them have been doing it and others must follow suit.
“He (Governor), specifically said that everyone of them must do the distribution last Saturday…..
“Those in charge must do what they were asked to do for the people. It’s not that I hate them, but I know what I am saying. Our people needed the support at this critical period”, Sen. Ogunlewe added.
Speaking with Hon. Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju (SKO), Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, he also confirmed the receipt of N10million for palliatives.
The council boss, who spoke with THE IMPACT on the phone, said that the council spent more than the sum in providing the palliatives for more than 1000 people.
“Of course, we received N10million for the purpose, and we made available the palliatives for 1200 residents. The council gave them 5kg bag of rice each”, Hon. Sulaimon said.
“We spent more than that. We bought a bag of rice at N75, 000 and we bought 120 bags
“We actually gave out access cards to 1000 residents but we did extra 200 because of those that would come around to say they did not know about the program, and others that just came to benefit”, the Ikorodu council boss explained how the palliatives were shared.
“In actual fact, some residents who are guys came around, insisting that they don’t want rice, and they were given money”, he added.
The Ikorodu West Council boss explaining the way the sum was expended said:
“We bought a bag (of rice) for 75k (N75, 000) and we bought 120 bags of 50kg”, he said.
“We repackaged it into 5 kg in 1200 places and the cost of repackaged is 400 per bag.
“There is also the cost of transportation, printing, publicity and other associated costs”, Hon. Sulaimon said.
Photographs of the events were sent to THE IMPACT as evidence.
The Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Builder Adeola Banjo, also confirmed the N10million disbursement by the Lagos State Governor, for the purpose of providing palliatives for the residents.
The council boss spoke with THE IMPACT, through his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Olubode Mac. Oserinde.
“Truly, the Governor released ₦10,000,000 to our LCDA, just as other councils, for purpose of driving the Lagos Aid Initiative at the grassroots”, he said.
“The breakdown of the expenditure goes as follows:
“Purchase of 100 units of 50kg bags of Rice at the price of ₦80,000 per bag.
“Rebagging of the 100 units of 50kg bags into 1,000 units of 5kg bags and branding at the cost of ₦1,000 per bag.
“The balance of ₦1,000, 000 went into logistics, security, and other incidentals”, the Ikorodu North LCDA Chairman explained.
THE IMPACT also gathered that the Imota, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede LCDAs and the Ikorodu LG authorities have also distributed the palliatives to the residents.
