Kemi Olatunde
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The Ondo State government will next week begin distribution of palliatives to citizens to cushion nagging effects of subsidy removal on petrol by the Federal Government.
The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju who gave the indication said “pensioners will get their N10,000 paid at the same time they are getting their salaries.”
“Also, vulnerable people in our communities will start getting their N10,000 from the first week of September. For public servants, the outstanding leave bonus for 2020 will be paid along with their salaries this month.”
The information Commissioner stated that we are in this situation and without doubt, we will sail over it to greatness.
In the press statement captioned “Update on Measures to Cushion the Effects of Petroleum Subsidy Removal” the Commissioner confirmed that the Palliative Committee had arrived at an implementation strategy and distribution plan after series of meetings and brainstorming sessions.
“In line with our commitment to fair and equitable distribution, in addition to transparency, we have the following updates to pass to members of the public,” she stated.
On social intervention for pensioners – starting this August as earlier promised, pensioners will get their N10,000 paid at the same time they are getting their salaries.
She however explained that “at this point, we acknowledge that we have challenges on food supply. The number of bags of rice we got from the Federal Government is way below what was promised. Instead, the Federal Government has monetized the rice. As a result, we are getting vendors to supply us food items to meet our projections.
“Supply of these products and their packaging into smaller bags will take time. However, we will save time using a rolling plan”.
The Commissioner said, the roll out plan will involve distributing these items in batches by Senatorial District, for efficient distribution and monitoring.
“We expect to begin the distribution of food items by September 1st. The roadshow to empower small and medium scale enterprises will begin next week,” she further stated.
During this period, officials of the State Government will meet business owners wherever they operate and give them grants in line with their size and output, she affirmed.
Further in her statement, she explained, “Our plan for the provision of farm inputs to farmers will also start next week. On transportation, the plan for school buses and boats is in top gear. We are confident we will be ready by the time school starts.
“Once again, we reiterate that we feel your pain, we are in this together, and we will get through this phase of our nation’s path to greatness. On the palliative measures we have planned, we are committed to equitable distribution and transparent conduct, as we seek to mitigate the current hardship.
