By Esther Olaoluwa
The 18 local government councils in Ondo State have commenced welfare and development programmes, including monthly stipends of N20,000 for at least 5,400 residents aged 70 years and above.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, disclosed this while outlining the achievements and ongoing programmes of the councils under the present administration.
Takuro said each of the 18 councils had identified a minimum of 300 elderly residents who are receiving N20,000 monthly.
He described the initiative as one of the most extensive local government-led social welfare interventions in the state’s recent history.
Councils Target Youths, Women
The commissioner said the councils had also introduced youth and women empowerment programmes aimed at reducing poverty and creating economic opportunities for residents.
According to him, the youth empowerment scheme is implemented monthly, with councils identifying young people who can make productive use of the financial assistance provided to them.
He said women were being specifically targeted because of their role in supporting families and communities.
Takuro said the programmes were designed to help residents become economically productive and financially independent.
Councils Expand Agricultural Support
The commissioner also disclosed that local governments were strengthening support for farmers, with some councils already providing agricultural inputs including cocoa seedlings, palm seedlings and fertilisers.
He said the state government was working towards making agricultural support uniform across the 18 councils through a coordinated system.
“They are providing a stipend to at least a minimum of 300 aged people between 70 years and above in their respective local governments. They are paying them a minimum of N20,000 monthly, and they are planning to even increase that number,” Takuro stated.
He said the councils were also working towards coordinating the quantity and type of agricultural inputs provided to farmers across the state.
Councils Intensify Flood Control
Takuro said the councils had intensified efforts to address flooding through the clearing and channelisation of waterways and drainage systems.
He said the interventions were being carried out proactively rather than waiting for disasters to occur, with projects continuing throughout the dry season.
“We are trying to bring ourselves together in a way that we agree that every local government, how many fertilisers are you providing for the farmer? How many of these, how many of that are you providing for the farmer?” he explained.
The commissioner also disclosed that the councils were recording improvements in internally generated revenue following training programmes designed to expose officials to more effective revenue-generation methods.
He said the state government was planning to establish a committee comprising the state government, local governments and the Federal Inland Revenue Service to address areas of overlapping responsibilities and ensure compliance with the new tax regime.
According to Takuro, the committee would provide a platform for resolving challenges and developing a more transparent tax administration system across the state.
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