Residents of Ondo State, especially those who are vulnerable and pensioners, can now feel relieved, as the Ondo State Government announced on Tuesday that it has obtained 3,000 bags of rice out of the expected 81,000 bags from the Federal Government.
This allocation is part of the efforts to provide palliative support following the removal of fuel subsidies.
Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, the State Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the State Palliatives Committee, shared this update during the “Ondo Media Agenda” event held in Akure, organized by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
According to the report, the remaining portions of rice are scheduled to be transported by the Federal Government to all 36 states. Mr. Akinterinwa clarified that Ondo State is anticipating a total of 81,000 bags of rice from the federal government, but as of now, only 3,000 bags have been received.
He mentioned that the state has additionally procured another 3,000 bags, resulting in a combined total of 6,000 bags that are prepared for distribution among vulnerable individuals in the state.
Mr. Akinterinwa, who serves as both the Commissioner for Finance and the Chairman of the Forum of State Commissioners for Finance, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is genuinely concerned about the well-being of the masses. This concern has led to the decision that the less fortunate should not be burdened excessively by taxes.
Mr. Akinterinwa provided reassurance that pensioners and vulnerable individuals within the state will receive the designated N10,000 support starting from the end of this month, August.
Additionally, the commissioner guaranteed that apart from rice, other locally produced food items will be acquired and distributed to economically disadvantaged citizens in the state. This distribution will be based on the existing data available within the communities of the state.
“From this month, apart from Transportation, the pensioners would get their #10, 000, the Vulnerables would also get the same, some of this promises would definitely take time, we have to ensure transperency and accountability too.
“Free Transportation for School children would commence next month, transportation for civil servant has also commenced to ease movement, and we intend to buy more vehicles, we would have purchased more vehicles but we don’t want the one using petrol, we want to buy CNG buses because they are bigger, but all the States are going for this purpose because of the fuel cost, we are also on the queue for it.”
Akinterinwa noted that “Ondo State had gotten 3,000 bags of rice contrary to the 81,000 bags of rice that was promised by the federal government, but rice is not the only food we consume, we would provide other foods, the State would also purchase more additional 3,000 bags of rice.
“The government would help the famers get their food stuff get to town because we had realized that transportation has been the major difficulties, the farmer do complain of access, we would provide tricycle for easy access when these crops get to Town, it would be sold in a subsidized price,” Akinterinwa said.
“As a member of the Tinubu tax committee, I am sure by the time the committee is done with their plans, you would see that we have come up with policies that would favour the masses, we would ensure tax payment, the developed nations are developed because they pay their taxes as and when due, we have followed suit in Ondo State in the enforcement of tax payment, we don’t have to suffocate the poor with it as President Tinubu had said, ‘let the poor breath’. He is concerned about the welfare of the masses,” Akinterinwa who is a member of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform said.
Prince Leke Adegbite, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), stated that journalists within the state are committed to maintaining ongoing interactions with individuals in both the public and private sectors. This engagement aims to ensure that those in positions of authority are held responsible and answerable for their actions and decisions, ultimately serving the interests of the general population.
