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. Explains How LG/LCDAs Are Supporting LASG Efforts
The Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed has said that the disinfection exercise carried out at the grassroots level by the government has further helped in reducing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.
Dr. Ahmed, who made the disclosure while speaking at an inter-ministerial press briefing held recently at the JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja to brief residents on the efforts and involvement of the Ministry and Local Councils in mitigating the spread of the deadly disease, added that “If the exercise saves just one life, it is worth it and l believe it has done much more”.
He commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the provision of 200 Motorised-Disinfection Machines, Personal Protection Equipment as well as needed Chemicals to all the Council Areas for the disinfection exercise.
The Commissioner recalled that when the index COVID-19 case was discovered in the State, the Governor immediately met some critical stakeholders at the grassroots, which included Local Government Chairmen, Community Development Associations and Community Development Committees among others, as part of efforts to contain the situation from going out control.
“Mr. Governor called the meeting of stakeholders, including Chairmen of Local Councils, Ministry of Health and Members of the Community Development Advisory Committee to inform them about the index case, sensitise them on how to curtail the spread as well as raise awareness level about the virus,” Ahmed stated.
He stated that while efforts were being intensified to combat the spread of the virus, the various Councils through their Environmental Health Departments also complemented the government’s efforts by deploying their own disinfection machines, in addition to the 200 machines provided to all the 57 LG/LCDAs by the State.
According to him, the fumigation exercise covered public places which include; major highways, streets, schools, bus-stops, markets, parks, health facilities and inner streets, among other locations.
Speaking on the roles played by the various Council Areas and the CDAs in the distribution of government relief materials to the vulnerable members of the society, Dr. Ahmed stated that majority of Lagosians have been reached through the help of the CDAs who know members of their various communities very well.
In his words, “The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs gave the list of Community Development Associations (CDAs) to the Ministry of Agriculture as requested to enhance the distribution of the relief package to the vulnerable and the indigent in our communities”.
He added that the Chairmen of the 57 LGAs/LCDAs in their various capacities have also commenced distribution of food to the vulnerable and indigent across their localities to complement the State government’s initiative.
Appreciating private and corporate organisations that have donated in cash and kind to support the fight against the pandemic in the State, Ahmed affirmed that “In the Local Government Ministry, we have received donations of 100 hospital size mattresses and pillows from Vitafoam Plc and 500 hospital mattresses from Mouka Foam Plc as their organisations’ CSR support to the State Government”.
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