In his state-wide address to this state tonight, the state governor, engineer Seyi Makinde has unveiled the welfare package tagged Sustainable Action For Economic Recovery SAFER to cushion the harsh economic effects as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy by the federal government on June 9th, 2023. The SAFER package focuses mainly on transportation, food security and health covering the senior citizens, students, civil servants, traders, artisans and business owners in the state
The governor stated that the state social register will be updated to include 200000 names of the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable in the state to be provided with food palliatives. Health insurance for 100000 of the most vulnerable citizens will be paid for one year under the Oyo State Health Insurance Premium Scheme
The state Omituntun buses will be extended to cover intercity routes from Ibadan to Ogbomosho, Ibarapa, Oyo, Oke Ogun, the fares will be kept at low rate while senior citizens and students will pay half the price on all routes
On food security, the governor promised to release 10000 input to Farmers in the state in line with world bank under the Oyo State Cares Program. Oyo state youths Agropreneur with on-going business contributing to the food security and sustainable development of the state will benefit from the 500-million-naira enterprise support to be put in place by the state government.
Trader, Artisans and Small Business Owners can also apply to benefit from the 500 million enterprises support loan. Detail on how they will access enterprise support loan will be released later by all relevant agencies.
Tertiary students and their institutions will also benefit from the Omitutun buses at a very reduced fare while the state government will have further discussion with the leadership of the student unions on how the state can further cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy.
As part of the SAFER package, the governor announced increase in the number of Omitutun buses available to the state workers at a reduced fare. He promised to pay back the 2 month cooperative deductions along with august salary. Health insurance of the state pensioners will be paid and refunds will be made to those who might have paid the health insurance fee. The suspended monthly gratuity payment inherited from the last administration will resume in august, the governor concluded.
Report by Adefarati Abiodun
