Politics

Ondo govt sets up committee on subsidy palliatives

As part of efforts to reduce the harsh economic situation occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy in Ondo, the state government, said a nine-member committee on palliatives had been put in place to cater for the vulnerable across the 18 council areas in the state

This was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Education, Femi Agagu, who said the decision to provide palliatives for the people of the state was taken at the state Executive Council meeting held on Thursday.

The development is coming after the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s request for N500 billion to provide palliatives for Nigerians.

Briefing journalists on the development, Agagu said the state government noted and deliberated on the pains of the people being caused by removal of the fuel subsidy and decided to take some measures to cushion the effect.

He explained that the terms of reference of the committee include working out remedies for the excruciating effects of fuel subsidy removal “within available resources” of the state

According to him, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Olugbenga Ale, is leading the committee and will be supported by the Head of Service, Kayode Ogundele; Commissioner of Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; Commissioner of Economic Planning and Budget, Emmanuel Igbasan; and Special Adviser on Education, Wunmi Ilawole.

Other members of the committee include the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye; Special Adviser on Transport, Tobi Ogunleye; and Chairman of ODIRS, Tolu Adegbie, while the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Bayo Philips, will serve as committee secretary.

Speaking on infrastructure projects in the state, the Education Commissioner said the council also approved the award of a contract for the construction of 4.75 km selected roads in Igbobini and Agadagba, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area.

He said the construction of a 1000-metre concrete walkway at Obe-Nla in Ilaje Local Government Area was also approved by the council.

The council, however, commiserated with victims of flood and erosion in Akure, the state capital, and other parts as the government appealed to residents to embrace good environmental habits.

The Special Adviser on Environment, Oyeniyi Oseni, who spoke on the subject, said the government had taken steps to contain floods in the state.

He also said the government had deployed equipment to flood-prone areas in the State.

“Council has approved the construction of flood channels, drainage system and improved drainage network that will help to end the perennial flooding and erosion in the state,” he said.

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