Oyo govt distributes N20m grants to victims of market fire outbreaks

…As state, FG collaborate to alleviate poverty

The Oyo State Government has declared that it would continue to support residents of the state to rise above poverty and move into prosperity by catering to their welfare and empowering them to be self-sufficient.

Toyin Balogun, commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, gave this indication when her Ministry kick-started the distribution of N20 million livelihood support grants for victims of market fire outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government have collaborated on addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable members of the society.

However, the commissioner said that the Governor Seyi Makinde administration has continued to match its words with action by giving priority attention to bettering the lives of residents and supporting them to be economically buoyant through different means.

Balogun noted that the beneficiaries of the grants, drawn from Gbaremu, Sango, Oke-Itunu and Oranyan markets, where fire outbreaks wreaked havocs on businesses, have benefited from the N20 million grant approved by the governor.

She added that the event was just the first phase and that victims of fire outbreaks in other markets would also be reached by the intervention, adding that apart from supporting the victims, the government has also put together training sessions for market women on how to prevent and mitigate fire outbreaks in markets.

She said: “Basically, this event is just another dimension of the usual way the Oyo State Government shows concern for the welfare of the residents of the state.

“You are all aware that a couple of months back, there was a spate of fire incidents across the length and breadth of the state. We observed through our findings that it was not only the direct victims that were affected economically; that each of the victims has a minimum of 10 to 20 dependents that they are responsible for.

“So, this tells us that those incidents had far-reaching economic implications. So, the government of Governor Makinde, being a welfarist government, decided to see how it can support all these victims to bring them back to economic viability.

“We want them to resume to their level of self-sufficiency and to enable them to take care of other people depending on them for succour. As a result of this, our governor put aside other things and gave this an expedited approval and gave us a reasonable amount to be given to all the victims of the fire outbreaks.

“This is just the first phase of the intervention. We are not just trying to get them back on their feet but also ensuring that these incidents are prevented. One of the ways we are doing this is that we are putting together training sessions for women in the state on how to mitigate and prevent fire outbreaks in our markets.

“This government is keen on empowering citizens to enable them to be self-sufficient and that is what this programme is all about.

“In this first tranche, we have been able to disburse N20m to the beneficiaries and it is going to be an ongoing thing. We will ensure that all other people in all other markets that were affected will also be reached out to.”

Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, a former speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, described the Makinde administration as a government of the masses.

“We are giving these grants to victims of market fire outbreaks to support them to make a living. You can all see that this is a government of the masses. It is always ready to assist our people.

“We have to give thanks to God, Governor Seyi Makinde and the commissioner for organising this programme,” Sunmonu said.

Babatunde Tijani, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), similarly noted that the governor sympathised with the victims and decided to support them because his administration is pro-people.

Borode Omotayo Bolaji, the Iyaloja of Ibadan North Local Government, responding on behalf of the market associations, also commended the government for the timely intervention.

She said: “It is a great thing to me, because I was not even expecting up to that amount at all. Also, it was not only our market that was given money, other markets were also given. We really appreciate what the governor has done for the victims.

“The N5m has dropped into the account of the person representing my own market and it will be disbursed any moment from now.”

The event had in attendance market leaders and top government functionaries.

Meanwhile, the Oyo state government, said will address the current harsh economic realities, and it is a collective effort to alleviate poverty and uplift the lives of the citizenry.

The commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, stated this at the flag-off and symbolic presentation of debit cards to the beneficiaries of Renewed Hope Cash Transfer (NASSP-SU) across the 33 local government areas in the state held at the Ibadan South-East Local Government Secretariat, Mapo, Ibadan.

According to Balogun, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Oyo State Government, has prioritised initiatives aimed at providing direct financial support to those who need it most in response to the economic situation in the country, which presents significant challenges, especially to those at the grassroots.

The Commissioner stated that the cash transfer programme was a core component of the Federal Government’s social intervention agenda, designed to empower families to meet their basic needs and achieve sustainable livelihoods, stressing that the program is not just providing financial assistance but equipping our people with a foundation to build a better future for themselves and their families.

Balogun stressed that over ten thousand beneficiaries have been selected across the 33 Local Government Areas in the State by the National Cash Transfer Office, Abuja, under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Abuja, for cash transfer.

The debit card distribution is a critical improvement in how beneficiaries can access their funds.

Balogun explained that the sum of N25,000 is approved monthly for the beneficiary in this scheme and for 3 months.

She therefore, enjoined the beneficiaries to see the money as an opportunity to build a better future by investing in areas that improve the well-being of their household, such as education, healthcare, and small-scale businesses.

Ibitoye Mofoluwake, permanent secretary, in her welcome address said the distribution of these debit cards was more than logistical improvements but a symbol of hope and a step towards restoring dignity to our people, meeting their immediate needs, improving their livelihoods, and providing stability; she therefore, appealed to the beneficiaries to utilise these resources wisely and strategically to have lasting impact on their lives.

Oluwole Alawode, chairman Ibadan South East Local Government and the host of the programme, in his remarks, appreciated the kind gesture of the government in making life better for the downtrodden and vulnerable in society.

Two of the beneficiaries, Sariatu Adawole and Abdulwasiu Adekunle, appreciated the initiative of the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government to bring succor to the poor and vulnerable in society.