By James Ogunnaike

Ogun State government has assured residents of the State of transparent distribution of the N5 billion palliative initiative of the state government.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, who gave the assurance in Abeokuta, the State capital, while featuring on the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists’ monthly programme, tagged ‘ Guest Forum, noted government has put in place necessary measures to ensure transparency in the distribution of the palliatives to all categories of would-be beneficiaries.

The forum was organised to hold people in power to account and also get clarifications from government officials on grey areas in government policies.

It would be recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun, recently announced a N5bn palliative in all sectors of the state economy to cushion the effects of the current socio-economic hardship being experienced by residents of the state, occasion by fuel subsidy removal.

While acknowledging that he had heard complaints regarding the disbursement of the government’s gesture, the Commissioner stressed that “all ‘i’s will be dotted and ‘t’s crossed.”

It was gathered that some quarters, especially students have frowned at the process of the disbursement of N50,000 palliative to indigent students across the country.

The students are alleging attempts by some government officials to defraud and prevent the students from getting what is due to them.

Okubadejo said,” On the N5 billion palliative, government has set up a committee and we will involve all relevant stakeholders and if you are concerned about any part of the distribution process at all, I know the government is ready to listen and make amends. The money is really not much, but just see it as the first of such many initiatives to come.

“The register that will be used by the Ministry of Education is currently being compiled and a lot of validation is being done in the register. Some of the students have raised concerns, but be rest assured that this will be done transparently. The reason the current list is being used was to start the programme immediately.

“ In fact, we are also leveraging technology for proper identification and that is why we are using BVN and NIN in this scheme. Be rest assured that this process will be done transparently.”

Speaking on the achievement of Governor Dapo Abiodun-led government in the last five years, Okubadejo stated that, the establishment of six additional economic development clusters positioned the state as an industrial capital, “with the highest number of free trade zones in Nigeria and numerous industrial estates, Ogun State is poised to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement”, he said.

The Chief Economic Adviser added that the government had initiated the Economic Development Clusters, and partnered with the private sector to develop essential infrastructure, reduce costs, and provide companies with comprehensive support in providing power, water, and security.

Highlighting the state’s significant digital transformation that simplifies transactions for residents and businesses, he said, “the key initiatives include the digitalization of business premises permits and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), as well as holistic reforms in land processes to promote transparency and streamline transactions, thereby attracting investments into the state.

“Ogun state has witnessed remarkable financial growth with our Internally Generated Revenue, soaring from 50 billion in 2020 to over 130 billion in 2023.”

Earlier, the state NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olarenwaju, said the purpose of the Forum was to provide a platform for interaction between government and the governed.

He noted that Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration had recorded many achievements that placed the state ahead of others, making the ISEYA mantra an envy of others.