Subsidy Removal: Oyo Government Sets Up 15-man Palliative Committee
•Ondo students call for inclusion in government’s palliative package
Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan and Fidelis David in Akure
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has set up a committee for the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), which is meant to mitigate the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies and the resultant economic difficulties on citizens of the state.
This was just as the National Association of Ondo States Students (NAOSS), yesterday, called for Inclusion in the state government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
The 15-man committee set up by Makinde is headed by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, while Prof. Musibau Babatunde, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, would serve as its Secretary.
Other members of the committee include Finance Commissioner, Mr. Akinola Ojo; Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Olasunkanmi Olaleye; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Segun Olayiwola; Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade; and Special Adviser, Labour Matters, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo.
Others are Senior Executive Assistant, General Duties, Chief Bayo Lawal; Executive Assistant, Finance, Budget & Economic Planning, Alhaji Kolawole Gafar; Executive Assistant, Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired); Miss Ololade Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, Miss Ololade Ajibola; representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Daniel Oluwajimade; representative of the Muslim Community, Alhaji Muniru Ogundipe; representative of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Ademola Babalola and representative of the Civil Society Organisations, Mr. Jide Bamgbose.
The governor had, during a broadcast on Saturday, announced the multi-pronged SAfER intervention to ease the economic burden foisted on the people by the subsidy removal.
According to him, “after wide consultations, we have arrived at decisions that we believe will be of the most benefit to the good people of Oyo State.
“Our SAfER package will ensure a softer landing for the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable. It will also address the need for food security through direct intervention to our farmers.”
Makinde added that in coming up with the interventions, “we considered the importance of using these economic packages to stimulate our economy and bring about sustainable development.”
The SAfER package comes under six major headings viz transportation – this includes the extension of bus routes, the introduction of inter-city Omituntun buses to link geo-political zones and fare reduction for students as well as the aged; food relief package – this focuses on providing over 200,000 poorest of the poor households in the state with food items.
“Food Security – This intervention is aimed at providing input support for 10,000 farmers in the state.
“Agropreneurial support – through this, young agropreneurs under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP), who have established businesses, would have access to N500 million loan to improve their agricultural enterprises.
“SMEs Stimulation Package – there will be provision of N500 million low interest rate loan for Small and Micro-Enterprises (SMEs), including traders, artisans and other small business operators, in the state through microfinance banks,” the governor had said.
Ondo Students Call for Inclusion in Govt’s Palliatives
Meanwhile, in Ondo State, NAOSS has called for inclusion in the state government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
NAOSS is the highest student body in the State.
The State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman, Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa had last Thursday, said unconditional cash transfer – for three months, N10,000 would be given to selected vulnerable persons in every local government and all pensioners in the state would get N10,000 each, starting from August till December 2023, while secondary school students and public servants would enjoy free shuttle buses till December 31st, 2023.
However, the outgoing Senate President of NAOSS, Oyelade Hammed, while declaring his intention to contest the global presidential position of the association at a press briefing in Akure, called for NAOSS inclusion and proper monitoring for effective implementation process so that the masses who are the target beneficiaries would not be sidelined.
On ECOWAS planned military action in Niger Republic Hammed said, “As the seven days ultimatum given by the ECOWAS led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the coupist in Niger Republic elapses on Sunday, I wish to advise against the use of Military Action in handling the Niger issue.
“Recall that on 26th July, 2023, the Commander of the Presidential Guard in Niger Republic, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled President Mohamed Bazoum, in a well-organised military coup.”
Specifically, he noted that the problems in Niger should be seen as their internal challenges that can be better resolved diplomatically.
Speaking on his aspiration, he said his ambition was borne out of passion to serve coupled with his wealth of experience which would be useful in proffering amelioration to the myriads of challenges confronting the association.
