Ondo state government has announced measures to cushion the effect of the the removal of fuel subsidy.
. N10,000 to selected vulnerable persons in 18 council areas.
- Free shuttle buses for students, public servants
- - Free food to be distributed to 1 million households.
Addressing newsmen in Akure, the Finance Commissioner, Wale Akinterinwa, said that the palliatives measures will address pocketbook issues affecting citizens of the state.
Akinterinwa, who is the Chairman Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee, said that on transportation, the state government “will restore free shuttle buses for students starting from resumption in September, 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.
“We will immediately deploy all existing buses in all MDA’S to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants till December 31st.
“Additional CNG Buses will be purchased to convey of public servants, to and from work at no cost to them, till December 31st.
” In addition to the provision of free shuttle buses earlier mentioned, there will be immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus to public servants.
“It should be noted that the state government has already paid leave bonuses for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
On Social Intervention, the commissioner said that “unconditional cash transfer – For three months, ten thousand Naira (N10,000) will be given to selected vulnerable persons in every local government.
“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.
“Free food packages will be distributed to 1 million households across the 18 local government the state.
Farm inputs at subsidized rates will be made available to farmers. Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, maize, and feeds for their birds and fishes.