Subsidy:Makinde Gives Fresh Update To Oyo Residents On Safer Program

Governor Makinde communicates to Oyo Residents on SAfER Program

Oyo State Governor , Engr Seyi Makinde has said the implementation of the Safer Program aimed to cushion the negative effects of fuel subsidy removal on the People of Oyo state will commence next week. Eaglessightnews reports.

Makinde made this known via his monthly newsletter to the people of Oyo state .

Recall that Nigeria Federal Government according to reports had given 5billion naira only  to each state to cushion the negative effects of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The Safer Program which is aimed at tackling the effects of subsidy removal  on the residents of Oyo state according to  Governor Makinde will contain food relief packages which will be distributed to 200,000 houses across the 33LGAs in the state.

According to the Governor, he writes

“How has your week been? We thank God for life and the grace He gives us to see each day.

“My week has, as usual, been full of activities. I am currently in Kigali, Rwanda, for an Executive Leadership Retreat organised by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It’s been an engaging conversation so far.

“Since my broadcast about the sustainable actions we will be taking to ensure that our economy continues to run optimally despite the removal of fuel subsidy, we have been working hard to deliver on our promise. We created committees and sub-committees as part of the implementation process. Now, I am happy to inform you that the planning process is drawing to a close, and we are ready to begin the full implementation of SAfER.

“In the next week, we shall begin the distribution of the Food Relief Package to 200,000 vulnerable households in our State. Some have asked how we created and updated our social register that contains details of these households. Well, we put together the register during the COVID-19 pandemic. We deployed trusted representatives to communities in every part of our dear State. They met with and spoke to community heads who helped to identify the vulnerable in their midst. After this, we did a further verification of the data.

“As we begin the distribution across the 33 LGAs in the State, you will see for yourself how thorough the work is. We are distributing to each household 10kg of rice as well as 5kg each of beans, garri, and elubo and a bottle of groundnut oil. So, if you spot any funny business in your community, remember you can always reach out through this newsletter or any of the other feedback channels we have made available to you.

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“Let me also use this opportunity to provide further updates on other components of the SAfER programme. After consultations, we have decided to earmark an additional N500 million as loans to smallholder farmers in the State through the Agricultural Credit Corporation of Oyo State (ACCOS). These low-interest loans will assist the farmers who may not be reached with the distribution of inputs to 10,000 farmers earlier announced.

“The profiling process for YEAP beneficiaries with already established businesses who will benefit from the N500 million for enterprise support will soon be complete. Within the next two to three weeks, the youths will be contacted. The same goes for the artisans and traders who will be supported through the N500 million set aside for small businesses.

“Let me also state that as more funds become available to us, we will continue to do more for our people. Recently, the Federal Government announced a facility of N4 billion for State Governments. This includes a N2.08 billion grant and N1.92 billion loan to be paid back after a three-month moratorium in N120 million monthly instalments. We have received N2 billion, and as usual, we will update you on what the funds will be utilised for once the decision is reached. The FG will also give States N1 billion worth of grains from the national grain reserve.

“We promised the good people of Oyo State that we would always listen to you and strive to do the best for you. That is a promise we are determined to continue keeping. You requested intercity routes for the Omituntun Bus service. We have already expanded this service to include two buses to go from Ibadan to each of the remaining four zones. I will continue to share further updates with you regarding SAfER and all our other activities in Oyo State as they become available.

“Talk to you again soon

‘Governor Seyi Makinde”