By Adekola Afolabi &
Babatunde Ayedoju

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The recent rating of Ondo State in terms of poverty reduction in Nigeria has earned Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu a thumbs-up from  experts.

The experts explained that having the lowest poverty level meant that Ondo State’s economic situation was among the best in the country.

They made the submission in separate interviews with The Hope.

Statistics released by the Federal Government showed that Ondo State has the lowest poverty level in the country with 27 percent. The figure was presented during the launch of Nigeria’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Survey in Abuja last Thursday.

The survey was conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI).

According to the report, the measure used to calculate the figure was based on Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) with five components of health, living standard, education, security and unemployment.

The experts who spoke with The Hope include: Dr. Edamisan Ikuemonisan of the Department of Economics, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko

Dr Chris Ofonyelu of same Department and institution and Ondo State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan

Dr Edamisan Ikuemonisan explained that having the lowest poverty level meant that Ondo State’s economic situation was among the best in the country.

According to him, the development is a sign that more people are able to meet their physiological needs, such as food, housing, clothing and healthcare.

“Ondo State has the least number of people who are unable to meet their physiological needs. As small as these things look like, they constitute a big challenge in the country. It’s a big kudos to Mr Governor,” he added.

While noting that security had been enhanced, leading to more food production and higher income for farmers, said that government should note whatever was done to achieve the feat and consolidate on it.

Dr Chris Ofonyelu said development is an indication that one can survive on low income in Ondo State more than in many other states.

He added that it also meant tax burden in Ondo State was among the lowest in Nigeria, especially for the business people.

He said, “with a very low income, N20 000 or N30,000 salary, one can still survive in this state better than in any other states in the South West.

“In many parts of the state, you can still get a room or two to rent for less than five thousand naira per month. These are the premises that have helped survival,” he noted.

To consolidate on this achievement, Ofonyelu advised the state government to improve on timely payment of salaries, sustain the current tax regime and expand the state’s economy to accommodate new entrances into the state.

Also Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan expressed the readiness of the state government to build on the laudable achievements so far recorded as the state which has the lowest poverty level in the country.

Igbasan who attributed the development to the relentless efforts, determination and passion of the Governor at keeping poverty at bay in the state, explained that the present government is determined to sustain the tempo in line with its REDEEMED agenda to make life more meaningful to the people of the state.

Igbasan noted that there will be tremendous improvement in infrastructural development across board including health, education, security and other critical sectors in the state to further ensure effective and efficient service delivery to the people.

He however observed that the five key indicators used in measuring it are all encompassing and elaborate.

“Look at what Mr Governor is doing in all these critical areas. Let me start with education. Do people have access to quality and affordable education? The second is health. How is healthcare service delivery. Is it efficient, is it effective and affordable to the people. Do people have access to it?

Another dimension that is used in assessing multidimensional poverty index is standard of living.

“Access to public utilities in the environment you live in. Access to water, good roads and electricity. Also, the security. We all know what our Governor is doing in this area. Establishment of Amotekun has ensured the security of lives and property of the people not only in Ondo State but the South-West region.

“Luckily for us from the ranking, Ondo State has the greatest access to all these, and that is why the state is ranked the lowest in poverty level in the country. All these have helped Ondo State under our visionary leader, Arakunrin Oluwatayo Akeredolu.

“Look at all the various interventions of our Governor in health sector across the state. Ondo State is adjudged to have minimum of World Health facility (Primary Healthcare) in every Ward, and there are some Wards that have two or three. So, instead of having 203 we now have about 258 Primary HealthCare Facilities across the state.

“Look at the ongoing construction of a modern world-class 250-bed University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital complexes in Akure and Ondo town respectively. So people now have unfettered access to quality Health care services.

“Heath workers are being employed by this administration to further strengthen the sector. Look at the Mother-and-Child hospital we inherited, one in Ondo and one in Akure. Akeredolu administration has decentralized it and we now have up to seven now where people can access and have standardized and quality health care services across the state.

“All these lauded achievements would be sustained in line with our administration’s REDEEMED agenda. How Contributory Health Scheme will further allow everybody including the vulnerable have access to quality Health care”, the Commissioner added.