Makinde Reveals SAfER Palliatives Distribution Plan, excluded Usage of FG N5bn subsidy relief
The Oyo State Executive Council (ExCo) revealed the distribution plan contained as part of the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative, meant for the state’s contribution to cushion the effects of subsidy removal on petrol. But has excluded the plan on how to use the Federal Government N5bn dividends earmarked specifically to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The Oyo State Government has confirmed that it has received the Federal Government dividends but since the recipient of the dividends meant to procure palliatives package for citizens, the State Government under the watchful of Governor Seyi Makinde, has been silent on how to use the funds for the citizens, rather it continues to advocate for SAfER.
The SAfER seeing the light at the Executive Council meeting is seconded to the submissions of the 15-person SAfER Implementation Committee, headed by the Chief of Staff of Governor Makinde.
The flag off of the SAfER Programme has been scheduled to be held simultaneously in the seven geopolitical zones on Wednesday, 30 August 2023 (today).
While Oyo Zone in Oyo Town to be championed by Governor Makinde, Oke-Ogun 2 in Saki will have Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal takes its wheel.
Oke-Ogun 1 in Iseyin, will have the Secretary to the State Government drive its course, while Ogbomoso Zone in Ogbomoso, have the Chief of Staff, overseeing the flag off.
Member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Commissioner for Trade, Industries, Investments and Cooperatives are to take care of the flag off of the Ibarapa Zone in Eruwa while Ibadan Main City will have the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism as well as Ibadan Less City, have the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly follow suit.
ExCo, however, approved that “a total expenditure of N149,199,682 for the Transport component of SAfER. This will cover the branding of additional buses deployed to inner and intercity routes as well as operational costs for the purchase of diesel, maintenance of the buses, overheads and logistics for about six months.
“The Food Relief Package for 200,000 households. This works out at about N26,000 per household, including logistics for distribution. The N26,000 per household covers 10kg of rice, 5kg of beans, 5 kg of garri, 5kg of elubo and 1 bottle of groundnut oil. The Oyo State Government and the 33 Local Government Councils are jointly funding the deployment of the Food Relief Package with each providing N2,636,871,500.
“The ExCo also decided to include the following groups to get part of the Food Relief Package:
“Security agencies including Amotekun, Army, Police, Civil Defence and others. Civil Servants at the lowest levels have also been included.
For food security, a total of N1,701,053,782 was approved. This includes N500,000,000 for the enterprise support to YEAP beneficiaries; N500,000,000 for low-interest loans to smallholder farmers and N701,053,782.00 for inputs distribution to 10,000 smallholder farmers.
“The fund committed to low-interest loans to small businesses at N510,000,000, including logistics for disbursement.
“Finally, the ExCo approved for the Healthcare component, health insurance at N4,000 for 50,000 pensioners and N8,000 for 100,000 households which is a total of N1,000,000,000.”
The ExCo said the full rollout starts on Thursday, 31 August 2023, and will be in “phases to allow for efficient distribution that will reach the targeted poorest of poor.”
Meanwhile, the PIJAlance Magazine had reported that Oyo State Feedback said “the distribution of the food relief Package to 200,000 vulnerable households will commence this week, which will include the 3.000 bags of rice from the FG. Also, updates regarding the funds from the FG will be announced soon.”
Read Also: How Safe is the Oyo State Government SAfER Compare to FG 5bn Palliatives?
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