By Chris Chimezie
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Ondo State Executive Council has approved that the State Government should access the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Accelerated Agric Development Scheme of N1.5 billion naira to empower 18,000 participants in the Youth on Ridges Agriculture Programme of the state government.

The hint was dropped by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa while briefing Government House Reporters at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s office in Akure shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.

The facility which according to the Commissioner, is with a single digit interest rate, will enable the participants become successful agropreneurs in their respective agric ventures.

Akinterinwa said the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration will not waver at ensuring that the salaries of all workers in the state were paid promptly so as to motivate them into serving the state productively.

He added that over N146billion had been committed into the payment of salaries and wages of civil servants in the state far above other commitments of government and from its meagre earnings.

“Since inception of this administration, salaries and wages of civil servants have been paid as and when due. The government of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is never default.

“And out of the backlog that was inherited, we have been able to pay four months out of the seven months. And I can tell you that the State Government since inception of this administration has spent a total of N146 billion on staff salaries.

“This shows the percentage of our total earnings that has gone into  this segment of the society”, he said.

On the Paris Club refund, the Commissioner described as untrue the claim that the state had received its share from the Federal Government. He however assured that the government would use the refund judiciously when the state received it.

Also intimating the press with resolutions from the State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deaconess Lola Fagbemi said council approved the appointment of Prince Victor Babajide Akinloye as the Akota of Ikota in Ifedore Local Government of the state.

The State Executive Council, according to the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Taofeek Abdusalam, also approved the re-construction of the road linking Ekiti and Ondo States from Ifedore Local Government Area axis of the state.

The road which is Igbara-Oke-Ibuji road, about 3.1 Kilometres, would cost N1.2 bilion.

Also Oke-Ogba road in Akure which is 5.4kilometres was approved for construction at the cost of N1.96 billion.

In Ondo East Local Government area, the Bolorunduro –Fagbo Road, was equally approved for construction by Council. The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure said the road which is 8.5Kilometres will cost N1.3Billion.

“Also for massive rehabilitation by the State Government despite being a federal road is the Owo- Ikare Road”, the Commissioner said.

Abdusalam further said the decision of the State Government on the Ikare-Owo road was borne out of the genuine concerns of the Akeredolu Administration for the entire residents of Ondo State.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi said the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration is transparently committed to good governance for a better life for the entire citizenry.