Subsidy: Oyo Govt. Steps Up Palliative Distribution

The Oyo State Government has stepped up its palliative distribution drive as the 15-man Committee on Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) set up by the Governor, has assured residents that it would start disbursement of palliatives soon.

The Chairman of the committee, the Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde, Segun Ogunwuyi, disclosed that the committee had divided itself into 5 sub-committees to fast-track the implementation of the palliatives, as directed by the governor.

Ogunwuyi said the state government was aware of the anticipation by citizens to benefit from the palliatives promised by governor Makinde to mitigate the impact of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The 5 sub-committees are: Transportation, headed by Gafar Bello; Food Palliatives, headed by Segun Olayiwola; Food Security, headed by Olasunkanmi Olaleye; Small and Micro-Enterprises, headed by Prof. Musibau Babatunde and Healthcare, headed by Prince Dotun Oyelade.

Governor Makinde had, in a state-wide broadcast, promised to put in place measures that would help to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy removal and the general hardship on the people of Oyo State and assist residents, particularly the down-trodden.

At a meeting with the enlarged committee members, the Chairman, said the palliatives would be rolled out the moment the governor ratified the final template for the implementation from members, disclosing that input would be extended to 10,000 farmers in various enterprises.

Ogunwuyi also noted that YEAP beneficiaries and small holder farmers who were known and had proved to be engaging in active farming would benefit from the N500million government loan, revealing that new routes had been mapped out by the transportation sub-committee for residents of the state.

He said routes mapped out by the transport sub-committee include: Mokola-Apata-Omi Adio; Oja oba-Idi Ayunre; Beere-Amuloko; Dugbe- Railway Station; Gate-Alakia-Adegbayi; Arola-Apete-Mokola; Challenge-Beere-Gate; Beere-Olomi-Olunde; Eleyele-Sango-Bodija; Kuola- Elebu-Challenge; Challenge- Apata-Omi.

The Committee Chairman noted that palliative transportation had been provided for commuters from New Garage-Beere-Gate; Iseyin; Oyo; Ogbomoso; Ibarapa and Saki.

He, therefore, urged each sub-committee not to leave any stone unturned in their quest for the most efficient way to get the palliatives across to those who really need them.