By Adeyinka Adeniran
No fewer than 3,300 households from.the 33 Council areas of Oyo State have been enlisted as beneficiaries of the 3rd tranche of an intervention co-sponsored by the World Bank, the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to make life better for the vulnerable and poorest of the poor in the state.
The households comprising vulnerable citizens including, the aged, chronically ill, physically challenged, widows, and urban poor are to get the relief from the various humanitarian and Social Welfare Interventions efforts.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun gave the assurance at the symbolic presentation of debit cards to the 3rd batch of beneficiaries of the Oyo State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (OYCARES).
The third tranche of the Cash Transfer intervention was organised at the Ibadan North East Local Government, Secretariat, Iwo Road Ibadan.
Speaking, the Commissioner explained that in line with the tenets of equity, justice & fairness which are the hallmarks of the Governor Seyi Makinde led government, the beneficiaries of the 3rd batch were mined from the social register of the State Operation Coordinating Unit (SOCU) which are drawn from the 33 council areas.
She said the list was without political affiliation, religious consideration or any other special interest playing any role in the emergence of the beneficiaries.
She added that Governor Makinde is responsive in redeeming the hope of the hopeless and ameliorating the bruises sustained by hapless citizens who have been pummeled by the economic downturn, stressing that the government has been bringing succour to the downtrodden through various humanitarian and Social Welfare Interventions.
She expressed appreciation for the commitment demonstrated by the governor to improving the quality of lives lived by the poorest of the poor.
She said, this the governor has facilitated by ensuring that against all odds and challenges, he prioritizes this programme so much that the government made provision for funds required for the intervention upfront and only received reimbursement backend from the World Bank after the intervention must have been consummated.
She stressed that empirical facts affirm that 3,510 citizens have benefited from the 1st and 2nd tranches of the programme which has impacted positively on the lives of the beneficiaries.
The Commissioner however encouraged all beneficiaries not to despise the program modest beginnings, but start a micro business enterprises from the stipend which can later be related into a thriving medium to large scale business, with the right commitment and support.
In his remarks, the Head, Social Transfer Delivery Platform, Mr. Akintunde Gbadamosi said the bi-monthly payment of N20,000 to 3,300 beneficiaries enrolled for the 3rd batch of the Social Transfer Component of OYCARES across the 33 LGAs in the state through the distribution of the programme identity cards and debit cards is a seamless process.
In their different goodwill messages, the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs ; Saminu Gbadamosi, and other council chairmen at the event expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the governor for making the welfare of the citizens his priority at all times.
They collectively enjoined the citizens to come out en-mass and vote for the candidates of their choices who will toe the governance style of the governor at the forthcoming local government election later in the month.
