The Ondo state government has approved the introduction of free transportation for workers from and to their homes and offices.
The state Government also revived the free school shuttle buses for students.
The Chairman of the Ondo Stare Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, stated this in Akure today while addressing a news conference.
Akinterinwa flanked by some members of the Committee including State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Yeye Oba Bamidele Ademola-Olateju and the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko, explained that free shuttle boats equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas would also be introduced.
He noted that “all pensioners in the state, be they local government or state, will get ten thousand Naira (N10,000) each starting this August till December 2023.
Akinterinwa who is also the State Commissioner for Finance, said “Transport: The government will restore free shuttle busses for students stating at resumption in September, till December 31st.
“Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024. We will immediately deploy all existing buses in all MDA’S to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants till December 31st. New CNG BUSES will be purchased for public servants for free.
Below is the full text of the news conference;
ONDO STATE ANNOUNCES MEASURES TO CUSHION THE EFFECTS OF PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL:
Given the current economic realities based on the removal of subsidy on petroleum, the government of Ondo State wishes to announce these farreaching palliatives measures to address pocketbook issues affecting its citizens. Here are what we are rolling out based on sectors of the economy.
Transport: The government will restore free shuttle buses for students starting from resumption in September, till December 31st.
Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024. In like manner, free shuttle boats equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas starting at resumption in September, till December 31st.
Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024. We will immediately deploy all existing buses in all MDA’S to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants till December 31st. Additional CNG BUSES will be purchased to convey of public servants, to and from work at no cost to them, till December 31st.
Social Intervention Unconditional Cash Transfer: – For three months, ten thousand Naira (N10,000) will be given to selected vulnerable persons in every local government.
Food – free food packages will be distributed to 1 million households across the 18 local government the state.
Agriculture Farm inputs at subsidized rates will be made available to farmers. Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, maize, and feeds for their birds and fishes. In addition, training on local feed formulation and production will be given to them, to help them look inwards.
Agrochemicals, seeds, drip lines, farm tools and power tillers will be given at subsidized rates. In riverine areas, free fishing nets and subsidized kilns will be made available.
To ease the movement of farm produce, tricycles will be given free to farming communities. This will be supervised by officially recognized, community based stakeholder groups. The state government has authorized immediate suspension of haulage fee collection on all non-graded agricultural produce. These are produce that are consumed locally and not for export.
Health: We announce the immediate suspension of hospital registration and consultation fees. Government will reimburse the hospitals directly based on existing data.
Public Servants: In addition to the provision of free shuttle buses earlier mentioned, there will be immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus to public servants. It should be noted that the state government has already paid leave bonuses for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Small and Medium Enterprises: Various categories of small and medium enterprises will benefit from Subsidy Removal Palliative. Given the current economic realities based on the removal of subsidy on petroleum, the government of Ondo State wishes to announce these far-reaching palliatives measures to address pocketbook issues affecting it’s citizens. Here are what we are rolling out based on sectors of the economy.
Social Intervention: Unconditional Cash Transfer – For three months, ten thousand Naira (N10,000) will be given to one thousand vulnerable person per local government. This will benefit 18,000 people in total for three months.
All pensioners in the state, be they local government or state, will get ten
thousand Naira (N10,000) starting this August.
Food – free food packages will be distributed to 1 million households in the state.
Agriculture: Farm inputs at subsidized rates will be made available to farmers. Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drug, maize and feeds. In addition, training on local feed formulation and production will be given to interested poultry and fish farmers to help them look inward.
Agrochemicals seeds, drip lines, farm tools and power tillers. In riverine areas, fishing nets and kilns will be on offer.
To ease the movement of farm produce, tricycles will be given free to communities. This will be supervised by officially recognized, community based stakeholder groups.
The government has authorized immediate suspension of haulage fee collection on non-graded agricultural goods. These are goods that are consumed locally and not for export.
Health We announce the immediate suspension of hospital registration and consultation fees. Government will reimburse the hospitals directly based on existing data.
Public Servants In addition to the provision of free shuttle buses earlier mentioned, there will be immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus for public servants. It should be noted that the government has already paid leave bonuses for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Small and Medium Enterprises Various categories of small and medium enterprises will benefit from the state government’s financial assistance. The money to nano, small, medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels.
Students who run nano businesses on campus are not left out. They will also get monetary support. We thank you for your understanding as we navigate this challenging time together as a state and nation.
Mr. Wale Akinterinwa Chairman Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committe