• Says Ondo govt goofed, tractors sold at subsidised rate to boost mechanised farming
• Empowering people must be a collective effort, Aiyedatiwa tells political officeholders
• Gov hails lawmaker for distributing N50m, fertilisers, books to farmers, artisans, pupils
The family of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described as untrue, the stance of the state government that the former governor sold out existing tractors in the state.
The family, in a statement through the former spokesperson of the late governor, Richard Olatunde, said the tractors were procured by Akeredolu under the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Entrepreneurship Scheme (AEHES) and subsidised to farmers to boost mechanised farming and agribusiness in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Olayato Aribo, had a few days ago, alleged that out of the 30 tractors owned by the state, only one was remaining, alleging that they were sold out to private individuals.
The late governor’s spokesperson, while urging government officials to be accurate in their statements and accounts of events as they relate to the late Akeredolu’s administration, said that the scheme was aimed at putting an end to the constant breakdown and abandonment of tractors bought by successive governments.
He said: “This response becomes necessary in light of the compelling need to inform the public who may be easily deceived.
“The scheme was designed to turn farm mechanisation into business. It was aimed at developing the farm mechanisation link of the agricultural value chain. The target is for beneficiaries to help others on adjoining farms.
“The scheme was also aimed to put an end to the constant breakdown and abandonment of tractors bought by successive governments and put in charge of local council administrators. The poor maintenance culture and the nonchalant attitude of the people toward government-owned property have accounted for the breakdown and neglect of many tractors in the past.
“Olayato Aribo was not the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources when this scheme was initiated and consummated. These tractors were procured during the first term of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.”
MEANWHILE, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged public officeholders to support the government by giving back to their constituents.
He said that empowering the people should be a collective effort to uplift communities and build a brighter future for children.
According to the governor, when political officeholders give back to their people, they help a great deal in complementing the developmental efforts of the government.
Aiyedatiwa stated this, yesterday, during the distribution of grants to artisans and exercise books to public primary school pupils by the member representing Akoko South East/South West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Adegboyega Adefarati, held at Akungba-Akoko, Akoko South West Local Council of the state.
The governor, while hailing Adefarati for his dedication to addressing the needs of his constituency, noted that the grants would stimulate local entrepreneurship, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.
On his part, Adefarati, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, stated that N100,000 was disbursed to each of the 500 constituents; sewing machines and hairdryers were distributed to artisans; 100,000 exercise books were distributed to pupils in public primary schools; as well as the distribution of 1,000 50kg bags of fertiliser.
