As part of Governor Seyi Makinde’s sustainable actions for economic recovery (SAfER), the deputy governor of Oyo state, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, has splashed massive empowerment on residents of Irepo local government to cushion the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and the rising cost of living on the residents of the state.
The deputy governor said that the SAfER package will ensure a softer landing for the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable in Oyo state, adding that the short-term plans will play a significant role in reducing the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy and the ensuing economic difficulties being faced by the people of Irepo local government.
While announcing the empowerment and palliatives’ distribution on Sunday, Lawal, who was represented by Professor Abdulwaheed Salihu, also known as Abdulone, the Oyo state Commissioner for Education, added that the SAfER will also address the need for food security through direct intervention to farmers in the local government.
The empowerment initiative, which included the distribution of cash, SAfER Packages, and trainings, was, according to him, intended to benefit the residents across the 10 wards in the local government.
He noted that the programme was designed to support Governor Seyi Makinde’s initiatives to lessen the suffering of the residents, particularly party members, stressing that the empowerment programme is especially made to help the elderly, young people, and women who are faced with challenges.
The education commissioner, who also hosted a meeting with prominent stakeholders in the deputy governor’s residence, emphasised the need of empowering the people. He also pointed out that the people who are not yet on appointment should benefit from the good leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, particularly during this challenging time to lessen the impact of subsidy removal.
He insisted that everyone who has worked so hard for the party should be able to take advantage of the government, adding that those who have already been appointed by the party or in government should be able to make sacrifices and help those who are desperately in need.
The commissioner emphasised that the party stakeholders must also be fair to all party members and residents of Irepo local government, noting that the empowerment to be distributed is strictly a sustainable actions for economic recovery.
Abdulone continued by noting that there are numerous opportunities in the government and that approximately 110 people of Kishi are employed casually, in addition to the many others who hold appointments.
He added that the deputy governor had made sure that the empowerment of tools like sewing machines and farm equipments among others would also aid members who had not yet benefited from the government.
The commissioner urged the PDP members to be united and to show love to one another, saying that everyone would benefit from the government and that both the new decampees and other residential groups would also be beneficiary.
He pledged that he would continue to make cash donations each month to party members to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
However, in his speech, the local government chairman, Pastor Joel Oyetunji, also committed to giving monetary payments to party members, particularly women, beginning on November 1.
He stated that the pledge is to help party members and to lessen the impact of the removal of subsidy.
Sewing machines, grinding machines, pumping equipment, staple foods, mosquito nets, mattresses, herbicides, pesticides, and financial gifts are among the SAfER packages that will be distributed.
In attendance include SA on Project, Alhaji Nasiru Ayinde; SA Political, Yusuf Ajagbe; SA Domestic, Badmos Adesola; Party Chairman, Odejide Ismail; Party Secretary, Muhammed Jamiu Baki; Local Vice Chairman, Kazeem Olawoyin and Alhaji JS Amodu.
Others were Hon. Tijani Ahmad Omupo; Mrs Bello Elizabeth; Yeye Adenike Aderibigbe; Hon. Dauda Adams; Alhaji SG Ayoola; Mrs Fatimoh Oronla to mention but few.
