The Ondo State Government has taken measures to address the economic impact of the removal of fuel subsidies on residents of the state.
A nine-member committee on palliative care has been set up to alleviate the economic burdens on vulnerable persons in the state’s 18 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Education, Femi Agagu, disclosed this during a press briefing shortly after the State Executive Council meeting.
According to him, the decision of the state government to form the committee was in recognition of the challenges faced by the populace due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
The initiative follows the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s request for N500 billion to implement palliative measures nationwide.
Agagu added that the nine-member committee will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies to ensure that the most vulnerable segments of society receive the necessary support.
He said Olugbenga Ale, the governor’s Chief of Staff, will head the committee and will be assisted by Kayode Ogundele, the Head of Service; Wale Akinterinwa, Commissioner of Finance; Emmanuel Igbasan; and Wunmi Ilawole, Special Adviser on Education.
The Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye; the Special Adviser on Transportation, Tobi Ogunleye; and the Chairman of Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, ODIRS, Tolu Adegbie, will also serve as members, while Bayo Philips, the Permanent Secretary of Economic Planning and Budget, will serve as Secretary.
Speaking on the state’s infrastructure initiatives, Agagu stated that the council also approved the awarding of a contract for the construction of 4.75 km of selected roads in Igbobini and Agadagba in the Ese-Odo Local Council of the state.
He said that the exco had also approved the construction of a 1000-metre concrete walkway at Obe-Nla in the Ilaje local council.