Economic hardship: Lagos to engage 'mama put' to feed 1,500 people daily in each LGA

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, says the government will engage the services of canteens locally known as "mama put" to feed between 1,000 to 1,500 residents daily in each of the LGAs of the state.

Sanwo-Olu spoke in Lagos on Thursday during a chat with journalists.

The governor said the move is part of efforts to cushion the impacts of the rising cost of living in the country which has sparked protests in many cities.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the strategy would not only provide food for thousands of people but would also empower small scale restaurants in the state.

Sanwo-Olu added that the state has set up teams to properly utilise the government registers, community-based and faith-based groups to ensure that the food gets to the targeted members of society.

"The third level will be that we are now going to do what we call, the soup bowl; the soup kitchen," he said.

"We did it also during COVID-19, we want to identify 'Mama Put' and caterers. We want to be able to feed between 1,000 and 1,500 in every local government per day at the first instance, for the next 30 to 60 days.

"So, let's watch out for the logistics, we are identifying the caterers already, funds will be sent to them, and they will have vouchers to show, so that people just walk in and they just give them something to eat, one a day, and let's just continue on that.

"The whole idea is that one of the verticals will reach you in one form or the other."

The governor also said arrangements are in place to allow civil servants from level 1 to 14 to work from their various offices three days in a week.

He announced a 25 percent reduction in state-owned transport services starting from this weekend, while adding that his administration will discuss fare reduction with transport unions.

Sanwo-Olu also added that his administration will open "Sunday markets" in at least 42 identified places for residents to buy food items at a 25 percent discounted rate.

He urged private individuals to also assist in the "little way they can, to ameliorate" the impact of the hardship in the country.