The Oyo State Government began the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) intervention in the state, with the distribution of foodstuff across all local government areas, provision of easy-to-access Loans for small Enterpreneurs, 46 buses for commuters at highly subsidised rate and Inputs for farmers among other initiatives.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the exercise, is the continuation of the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery plan of the State Government.
The State Government had warned the coordinators to ensure that the foodstuff get to the less privileged and vulnerable people in the state.
According to him, the exercise is in fulfillment of Governor Seyi Makinde's promise to soften the hardship on the citizens as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.
The commissioner quoted the Governor as having directed interest groups, the 33 council chairmen, and their Councillors to demonstrate integrity in the distribution of the foodstuff and ensure that it cuts across political tendencies.
Government said the exercise is going on smoothly all over the state, as targeted beneficiaries were seen carrying bags of the different food items in orderly manner.
Oyelade seized the opportunity to reiterate that the state had begun the process of distribution of free SMEs loan forms simultaneously from seven Micro finance banks in the state.
Oyelade said as it was the last time, the second phase saw the distribution of another 25% of the 200,000 promised by the governor, which means that at the conclusion of the second phase in a few days, 100,000 bags of rice, beans and other food items would have been distributed.
He said free forms can henceforth be collected from the Micro-finance offices in the following locations:
1. Full range Microfinance Bank Iwo Road, Ibadan.
2. Isale Oyo Microfinance Bank, Oyo town.
3. Excel Microfinance Bank, Eruwa.
4. NUT Oke Bola Microfinance Bank, Oke Ado, Ibadan.
5. Caretakers MicroFinance Bank, Caretaker, Ogbomoso.
6. Kadupe Microfinance Bank, Shaki.
7. Ebedi Microfinance Bank, Iseyin.
The loan exercise which is for low and medium scale entrepreneurs will cost the Oyo State Government the sum of N500m.
Oyelade reiterated that on the whole, Oyo State Government has earmarked 20,000 of the 200, 000 SAfER food items for personnel of security apparatus, media houses and a few other considered groups.
According to the Commissioner, what oyo state does differently is that other critical areas that will reduce hardship on the people are being addressed side by side the food distribution.
For instance small scale enterprises, under the supervision of the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, is empowering traders, artisans and other small business owners with N500m, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal on the residents of the State.
The forms are free and can be collected in the Micro finance banks. (Name the banks)
On food security, the Oyo State government will commence the first phase of food security through the distribution of grains/feed to poultry farmers, this week.
According to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural resources, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who heads the sub-committee, this will cater for 1000 poultry farmers for a start.
A total of N1bn has been earmarked for farmers and beneficiaries of the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP) and the loans can be easily accessed.
Oyelade said all these are in fulfilment of Governor Seyi Makinde's promise, that the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) intervention will go beyond mere distribution of food to the populace.
Recall that, the transport sub-committee, headed by Mr. Gafar Bello has provided 46 buses across the state, at subsidised cost to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy which has made life difficult for the populace while over 40,000 pensioners will not only enjoy free healthcare facilities under OYSH6IA but will also have the money they have paid earlier for medicare returned to them as a result of the new SAfER policy.
