Oyo Govt Begins Second Phase of SAfER Intervention

By Our Correspondent

The Oyo State Government  began the second phase of the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) intervention in the state, with the distribution of foodstuff across all local government areas, provision of easy-to-access loans for small Enterpreneurs, provision of inputs for farmers, among other initiatives. 

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the exercise, is a continuation of the SAfER plan of the Oyo State Government. 

According to Prince Oyelade, the exercise is in fulfilment of Governor Seyi Makinde's promise to soften the hardship on the citizens as a result of the fuel subsidy removal. 

The commissioner quoted the Governor as having directed interest groups, the 33 council chairmen, and their councillors to demonstrate integrity in the distribution of the foodstuff and ensure that it cuts across political tendencies. 

The State Government, in the statement also warned the coordinators of the food distribution exercise, to ensure that the foodstuff get to the less privileged and vulnerable people in the state.

The Government spokesperson added that the exercise is going on smoothly all over the state, as targetted beneficiaries were seen carrying bags of the different food items in orderly manner. 

Oyelade seized the opportunity to reiterate that the state had begun the process of distribution of free SMEs loan forms simultaneously from seven Micro finance banks in the state.

Prince Oyelade said as it was the last time, the second phase saw the distribution of another 25% of the 200,000 promised by the governor, which means that at the conclusion of the second phase in a few days, 100,000 bags of rice, beans and other food items would have been distributed.

Oyelade reiterated that on the whole, Oyo State Government has earmarked 20,000 of the 200, 000 SAfER food items for personnel of security apparatus, media houses and a few other considered groups.

According to the Commissioner, what Oyo state does differently is that other critical areas that will reduce hardship on the people are being addressed side by side the food distribution. 

For instance small scale enterprises, under the supervision of the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Professor Musibau Babatunde, is empowering traders, artisans and other small business owners with N500m, as part of efforts to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal on the residents of the State.

The forms are free and can be collected in the Micro finance banks:

1. Full range Microfinance Bank Iwo Road, Ibadan.

2. Isale Oyo  Microfinance Bank, Oyo town.

3. Excel Microfinance Bank, Eruwa.

4.  NUT  Oke Bola Microfinance Bank, Oke Ado, Ibadan.

5. Caretakers MicroFinance Bank, Caretaker, Ogbomoso.

6. Kadupe Microfinance Bank, Shaki.

7. Ebedi Microfinance Bank, Iseyin.

The Commissioner stressed that the loan exercise which is for low and medium scale entrepreneurs will cost the Oyo State Government the sum of N500m.

On food security, the Oyo State government will commence the first phase of food security through the distribution of grains/feed to poultry farmers, this week.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural resources, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, who heads the sub-committee, this will cater for 1000 poultry farmers for a start. 

A total of One Billion Naira, (N1bn) has been earmarked for farmers and beneficiaries of the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP) and the loans can be easily accessed. 

Oyelade said all these are in fulfilment of Governor Seyi Makinde's promise, that the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) intervention will go beyond mere distribution of food to the gpopulace.

Recall that, the transport sub-committee, headed by Mr. Gafar Bello has provided 46 buses across the state, at subsidised cost to cushion the effect of the oil subsidy.

Meanwhile over 40,000 pensioners will not only enjoy free healthcare facilities under the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OYSHIA, but will also have the money they have paid earlier for medicare returned to them as a result of the new SAfER policy.