The Lagos State Government has pledged more support to the Lagos State Cooperative Federation, LASCOFED, the umbrella body of all Cooperative Societies in the State.

Special Adviser for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Engr. Abiola Moshood-Olowu stated this while receiving the President-in-Council of the Federation, led by the President, Oladipo Sobule, who came on courtesy visit to his office.

The Special Adviser described LASCOFED as a major stakeholder in the drive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to empower the citizenry as articulated in its T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda.

He said the importance of LASCOFED is well known to all, especially the cooperative movement in the State and that is why the Sanwo-Olu’s administation has identified LASCOFED as a major partner and stakeholder in the economic development of the State.

While charging the PIC to be above board in the administration of the Cooperative Societies, he expressed the willingness of government to consider the various requests of LASCOFED such as the provision of a Revolving Fund to enhance its operations and a parcel of land for the construction of low income housing units for members and non-members.

He further pledged to meet with the appropriate authorities towards the successful organisation of the proposed Cooperative Festival.

According to him, government will support any initiatives that will improve the economy.

The Permanent Secretary, MCIC, Adetutu Ososanya, harped on the need for LASCOFED to improve on its engagement with the Government, through the MCIC, saying the Sanwo-Olu’s administration is a listening government.

She also charge the LASCOFED leadership to engage experts for proper appraisal of the proposed low cost housing project for members, saying the project will complement the great strides the State Government has achieved in the provision of housing for the citizenry.

Speaking earlier, Sobule, commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry for the continuous support being extended to the Federation, which in return, the leadership is complementing by serving as a strong link between the various Cooperative Societies and the government, through the Ministry.

According to him, Cooperatives play great roles in economic empowerment of the people and it is a strong social platform which government can leverage on to implement any social services that will have great impact across the State.

In his words, on our own, we have a Cooperative Festival coming up in November, which is a programme to incentivise the Cooperatives.

He said they still need government support for the Revolving Fund to deepen the operations of the Cooperative Societies while we are working to key into the social housing schemes for which we need land to build low cost houses for members and non-members. All these cannot be achieved without the support of the State Government.

This is contained in a statement made available by Head, Public Affairs Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Adewale Akodu.