Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has unveiled a significant plan that resonates deeply with the well-being of his constituents. From Kigali, Rwanda, where he participated in the three-day leadership retreat for the 36 State Governors organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Makinde shared a heartening update.
The essence of his message revolved around the impending distribution of palliatives to 200,000 vulnerable households across the state, an endeavor set to initiate in the coming week. This poignant announcement comes at a time when discussions about economic optimization in light of fuel subsidy removal are prevalent.
In Governor Makinde’s words, “We have been working hard to deliver on our promise and ensure that our economy continues to run optimally despite the removal of fuel subsidy. We put together committees and sub-committees as part of the implementation process. The planning phase is concluding, and we are prepared to launch the full-scale implementation of SAfER.”
Elaborating on the meticulous process undertaken to identify beneficiaries, Governor Makinde detailed, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we compiled a comprehensive social register. Our representatives engaged with community leaders across the state, enabling us to identify vulnerable households. We then further verified this data.”
The distribution initiative, encompassing all 33 Local Government Areas of the state, is poised to provide each household with a Food Relief Package comprising 10kg of rice, 5kg each of beans, garri, and elubo, along with a bottle of groundnut oil. The governor appealed for vigilance within communities, urging residents to report any irregularities or anomalies through accessible feedback channels.
Governor Makinde’s commitment to uplift his constituents extended further as he shared that an additional N500 million would be channeled as low-interest loans to smallholder farmers via the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS). This extension of financial support, intended for farmers who may not have been covered by the earlier announced distribution of inputs to 10,000 farmers, underscores the state’s dedication to fostering agricultural prosperity.
Furthermore, Governor Makinde divulged plans to enhance enterprise support. The profiling process for Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (YEAP) beneficiaries with established businesses is nearing completion, paving the way for enterprise support facilitated by the N500 million allocation. For youths, artisans, and traders set to benefit from the N500 million allocated for small businesses, communication about the forthcoming support will commence within the next two to three weeks.
Governor Makinde’s proclamation reaffirms his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his constituents’ lives. As he echoes, “We will continue to do more for our people.” The announcement coincides with the Federal Government’s recent allocation of N5 billion for state governments, a testament to the alignment of efforts towards fostering prosperity and well-being.
