Subsidy: Ondo Govt to distribute free food to 1 million households, N10,000 to vulnerable persons

Ondo State Government has announced plans to distribute free food packages to 1 million households across the 18 local governments in the state as a measure to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on the citizens.

The state government also announced the restoration of free shuttle buses for students starting from September till December 31, 2023. 

Commissioner for Finance Commissioner, Wale Akinterinwa stated this in Akure while addressing the newsmen. 

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Akinterinwa who doubled as the Chairman Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee said unconditional cash transfer of ten thousand Naira (N10,000) will be given to selected vulnerable persons in every local government for three months. 

According to him, the palliative measures will address pocketbook issues affecting citizens of the state.

He added that on the provision of free shuttle buses, there will be immediate payment of 2020 leave bonuses to public servants, saying 2021, 2022 and 2023 had been paid. 

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According to Akinterinwa, all buses in MDA’S will serve as free shuttle buses to public servants as well as purchasing additional CNG Buses will be purchased to convey public servants to and from work at no cost to them, till December 31st.

“Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024. In like manner, free shuttle boats equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas starting at resumption in September, till December 31st. Thereafter, affordable rates will be charged from January 2024.

“All pensioners in the state, be they local government or state, will get ten thousand Naira (N10,000) each starting this August till December 2023.”

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He maintained that farm inputs at subsidized rates will be made available to farmers, as poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, and maize to feed the birds and fishes as well as training on local feed formulation and production.

The Commissioner further stated that tricycles will be given free to farming communities to ease the movement of farm produce which will be supervised by officially recognized, community-based stakeholder groups.

“The state government has authorized immediate suspension of haulage fee collection on all non-graded agricultural produce. These are products that are consumed locally and not for export.

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The commissioner added that the state government has suspended hospital registration and consultation fees, saying hospitals will reimburse directly based on existing data.

According to him, Small and Medium Enterprises will benefit from the state government’s financial assistance. 

“The money to nano, small, and medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels. 

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“They will also get financial support. The money to nano, small, and medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels.

The commissioner added that Students who run nano businesses on campus are not left out because they will also get monetary support.