The non-governmental organisation, Blue Lagos, has extended its humanitarian intervention to riverine communities in Epe Division, providing free healthcare, food items, safety equipment and livelihood support to residents.
Epe Insights reports that the latest outreach was held in Oko-Abe and neighbouring communities, including Isan, Ipesu, Oguntendo, Ito-Omu, Dongo, Ladaba, Gadangba, Idiafon and Oregun.
The intervention was designed to improve access to basic social services for residents living in riverine communities.
During the outreach, residents received free medical services and health checks as part of efforts to support healthcare access in the communities.
The medical intervention provided residents with an opportunity to access basic healthcare services without having to travel far from their communities.
Beyond healthcare, Blue Lagos distributed 150 food packs to residents as part of its humanitarian support.
The organisation also provided 200 life jackets to improve safety among residents who depend on waterways for transportation and other daily activities.
The safety equipment is particularly relevant to riverine communities where movement by water forms part of everyday life.
Blue Lagos also introduced livelihood support through the provision of three smoking kilns.
The smoking kilns were provided to women in Idiafon, Ito-Omu and Isan communities to support their fishing-related activities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries involved in fish processing and related economic activities.
Speaking during the outreach, the Baale of Oko-Abe Community, High Chief Noah Olowolagba, commended Blue Lagos for extending its intervention to the riverine communities.
He said the initiative demonstrated a commitment to ensuring that residents in underserved communities are not excluded from access to essential services.
Olowolagba particularly appreciated the medical intervention, noting that it would provide meaningful assistance to residents who may experience difficulties accessing healthcare.
The traditional leader also expressed appreciation to individuals and organisations that contributed to the intervention.
He acknowledged Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, for his contribution to the initiative.
He also appreciated Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals, and the Humanitarian Committee of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.
The committee is led by Mrs. Bisola Olusanya, who was also acknowledged for her contribution towards improving the welfare of residents in riverine communities.
While expressing gratitude for the outreach, Olowolagba called for sustained attention to the challenges confronting riverine communities across Epe Division.
He appealed for greater intervention in road infrastructure, electricity and other basic social amenities.
According to him, significant infrastructure and social service gaps remain in some riverine communities despite interventions recorded over time.
Other residents who spoke during the outreach also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by Blue Lagos.
They called for more sustained interventions from government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
The residents stressed the importance of improved infrastructure and social services in communities located across the riverine areas.
They also noted that residents of the communities remain active participants in the civic and electoral process.
They therefore appealed for greater attention to their communities as part of broader development efforts across Lagos State.
For the beneficiaries, the intervention provided immediate support through healthcare, food supplies and safety equipment.
The livelihood component also provided practical support for women involved in fishing-related activities.
The distribution of life jackets further addressed an important safety need in communities where waterways are an integral part of transportation and economic activity.
Blue Lagos’ intervention therefore combined healthcare, humanitarian assistance, water safety and livelihood support in a single community outreach.
The outreach also provided an opportunity for residents to share some of the challenges affecting their communities directly with stakeholders.
The calls for improved roads, electricity and other amenities formed part of the concerns raised during the engagement.
Residents expressed hope that the intervention would be sustained and extended to more riverine communities within Epe Division.
The outreach highlights the importance of targeted humanitarian programmes in reaching communities where access to basic services can be challenging.
For the beneficiaries, the support from Blue Lagos offered immediate relief while also drawing attention to the need for continued development of riverine communities.
The organisation’s intervention has also reinforced calls for stronger collaboration among government, private organisations, community leaders and humanitarian groups in addressing the needs of residents in underserved areas.
