Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
– Announces other cushioning measures
By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Government on Thursday restored the free shuttle buses for secondary school students and workers in the state to cushion the harsh effects of the petrol subsidy removal on the citizenry.
Besides, it announced other far-reaching palliatives.
In a statement by the Chairman of its PalliativeStrategy and Implementation Committee, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, who also doubles as the Commissioner for Finance, the government said:
“Given the current economic realities based on the removal of subsidy on petroleum, the government of Ondo State wishes to announce these far-reaching palliatives measures to address pocketbook issues affecting its citizens. Here are what we are rolling out based on sectors of the economy.
Transport
The government will restore free shuttle buses for students starting from resumption in September, till December 31st. Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024.
In like manner, free shuttle boats equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas starting at resumption in September, till December 31st. Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024.
We will immediately deploy all existing buses in all MDA’S to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants till December 31st.
Additional CNG BUSES will be purchased to convey of public servants, to and from work at no cost to them, till December 31st.
Social Intervention
Unconditional Cash Transfer – For three months, ten thousand Naira (N10,000) will be given to selected vulnerable persons in every local government.
All pensioners in the state, be they local government or state, will get ten thousand Naira (N10,000) each starting this August till December 2023.
Food – free food packages will be distributed to 1 million households across the 18 local government the state.
Agriculture
Farm inputs at subsidized rates will be made available to farmers. Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, maize, and feeds for their birds and fishes. In addition, training on local feed formulation and production will be given to them, to help them look inwards.
Agrochemicals, seeds, drip lines, farm tools and power tillers will be given at subsidized rates. In riverine areas, free fishing nets and subsidized kilns will be made available.
To ease the movement of farm produce, tricycles will be given free to farming communities. This will be supervised by officially recognized, community-based stakeholder groups.
The state government has authorized immediate suspension of haulage fee collection on all non-graded agricultural produce. These are produce that are consumed locally and not for export.
Health
We announce the immediate suspension of hospital registration and consultation fees. Government will reimburse the hospitals directly based on existing data.
Public Servants
In addition to the provision of free shuttle buses earlier mentioned, there will be immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus to public servants. It should be noted that the state government has already paid leave bonuses for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Small and Medium Enterprises
Various categories of small and medium enterprises will benefit from the state government’s financial assistance. The money to nano, small, medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels.
Students who are engaged in nano businesses on campus are not excluded. They will also get financial support. The money to nano, small, medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels.
Students who run nano businesses on campus are not left out. They will also get monetary support.
We thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenging time together as a state and nation.”
