Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is unrelenting in intervening in the lives of the masses and vulnerable across the state, as affected by the hardship encountered after the fuel subsidy removal.
He also expressed satisfaction with the impact of his administration’s intervention to support the masses under the ongoing Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) project.
The governor stated these in a release on Tuesday by the state Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
Makinde stated that, unlike some other states, his administration will continue to always work for the interest of the masses, especially the poorest of the poor in all parts of Oyo State, in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal.
According to the commissioner, operational routes for the 55 buses currently being used to transport commuters have increased from 31 to 39.
Still on fuel subsidy removal, he stated that over 30,000 commuters are daily enjoying fare reduction by 50 per cent, while the physically challenged, school children, aged and civil servants still enjoy transport services free of charge.
According to Prince Oyelade, this is one of the resolutions arrived at, at the weekly State Executive Council meeting which took place today.
He revealed that Governor Makinde has approved the purchase of 50 extra luxury buses to complement the 55 already being used.
“The 50 extra buses will be available before the 50th anniversary of the state next year,” the commissioner added.
He disclosed that the Council also gave approval for further food security inputs and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) support.
These, Oyelade stated, included subsidised tractor facilities, credit facilities fund for the Oyo State Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP) and smallholder farmers, low interest rate loans to artisans, traders and small businesses and many more at a cost of ₦4,787,468,000.
“In order to infuse efficiency into the civil service, the Council also approved Virtual Digital and Soft Skill Training for 2,175 civil servants in the state at a cost of ₦367,540,000.
The Commissioner for Information said the review of the cost of two ongoing projects was approved, at the cost of ₦8,536,415,000.
The projects included the bus terminal projects at Iwo Road, new Ife Road, Challenge and Ojoo and the construction of modern monumental structures at the Dr. Omololu Olunloyo Park.
On security, the Commissioner said the Council approved the ongoing discussions between state government and the military to occupy the Old Oyo National Park to discourage activities of terrorists and illegal miners in the enclave.
