Funeral Of Eugene Kwame Otupiri Akyea-Mensah In Pictures
Cocoa Trial: EOCO Excavated Opuni’s Former Residence …in search of evidence –court told
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has admitted that despite conducting a series of searches, including excavation of Dr Stephen Kwabena Opuni’s official residence, nothing evidential was found, in connection with the allegations levelled against him.
EOCO team of investigators conducted a search at Dr Opuni, former Chief Executive of Ghana Cocoa Board’s (COCOBOD) official residence, his houses in Accra and Kumasi, as well as his family house at Dormaa Ahenkro in the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Bono regions respectively.
The investigative team compelled Dr Opuni to invite a carpenter to break into his late mother’s room, with the aim of finding something incriminating against him, when the family had not performed customary rites to give anybody access into the room.
Samuel Codjoe, counsel for Dr Opuni, told the Accra High Court, presided over by Justice Aboagye Tandoh, on Wednesday, that after all these efforts, EOCO found nothing worthy of evidence against his client.
He said whilst cross-examining Paul Agyei Gyang, the leader of about five investigation teams that handled the cocoa case at EOCO, between 2017 and 2018.
The counsel also said the various investigation teams invited Dr. Opuni to their offices almost on daily basis, and staying from morning to evening.
Mr Codjoe said not only did the investigation team not find anything incriminating against Opuni, but also established that the agro-chemicals that he was accused of purchasing were supplied even before his appointment to COCOBOD.
Mr. Gyang, the Defence Witness said, had told the court that he could not remember whether EOCO investigation also revealed that the agro-chemicals in question were submitted at the time the first prosecution witness (PW1), Dr. Franklin Amoah, was the head of CRIG.
Dr Opuni has been accused for purchasing a fraudulent fertiliser from Seidu Agongo and Agricult Ghana Limited, to cause the country to lose millions of Cedis.
Dr. Opuni, first accused (A1), Agongo (A2) and Agricult Ghana Limited have pleaded not guilty to 27 counts of defrauding by false pretence, wilfully causing financial loss to the republic, money laundering and corruption by public officer, in contravention of the Public Procurement Act.
Cross-examination
Q. Mr Gyang, you informed this court that Dr Adu Ampomah was the complainant, did he give a statement to EOCO?
A. Yes my lord he did.
Q. Then EOCO will definitely have a copy of Dr Adu Ampomah’s statement?
A. I can’t be too sure as the docket has been sent to the police for further investigations.
Q. But a copy of Dr Adu Ampomah’s statement, which he gave to EOCO, will definitely be on the docket?
A. Definitely my lord, it should be on the docket.
Q. You will definitely have a duplicate docket of the entire investigation?
A. It should be possible.
Counsel: My lord, at this point we will like to apply for the statement.
Prosecution: They already have the statement. It cost the state money to produce the documents that were given to you. My lord, they have it. They should do some work. At this point they should pay for it if…
Counsel: what we have is what was discovered. I don’t have a copy of statement that Adu Ampomah gave to EOCO.
Prosecution: it is number 66 of the list of discoveries.
Q. When the original complaint was made it was in respect of other offences and not only lithovit, is that not so?
A. That is so my lord.
Q. Do you remember when this investigation commenced?
A. If my memory serves me right, January 2017.
Q. At that time your Executive Director was the late Justice Tsar?
A. Yes my lord, he was the Executive Director.
Q. And you had about four or five different teams in EOCO investigating each aspect of the allegations against A1?
A. Exactly so my lord.
Q. And in fact, because of the nature of the investigations and different teams in EOCO, which were conducting the investigations, A1 had to report to EOCO everyday when the investigation started to meet the different teams, is that not so?
A. He was reporting, but as to whether it was daily, I can’t tell.
Q. And even though you were the coordinator of all the different teams you were not in all the meetings in connection with all the changes.
A. That is exactly so.
Q. It was not uncommon for A1, Dr Opuni, together with his lawyer, to be there from morning to evening, meeting the different investigation teams?
A. It is true because he has to assist in all the eight cases.
Q. And in fact, during the course of these eight investigations, the team took him to his house in Accra to conduct searches, isn’t it?
A. My lord, it is true.
Q. They also went to his former house in Kumasi to conduct searches, is that not so?
A. My lord you are right.
Q. They also went to his family in Dormaa Ahenkro, is that not so?
A. My lord, it is so.
Q. And at the time the team went to Dormaa Ahenkro, A1 mother has just died and her room was locked, is that not so?
A. My lord you’re right.
Q. But the investigation team searched all the rooms in the house and after broke the deceased person’s room, i.e A1’s mother’s room, to conduct a search?
A. The room was broken voluntarily with the consent of A1. He brought in someone to break in.
Q. The investigators, being Ghanaians, know some rites would have to be performed before the deceased person’s room is opened by the family?
A. My lord, as I have told this court the accused person voluntarily broke into it, and the breaking was not done by the Investigator, to enable the Investigators have access into the room.
Q. In fact, if you will remember, it was the Investigators who demanded access into the room to enable them conduct their search?
A. Exactly so my lord.
Q. And if you could remember, he didn’t voluntarily call a carpenter to break the door of his deceased mother, but he was compelled?
A. My lord, there was no compulsion.
Q. In fact, when he was being sent to Kumasi and Dormaa, he was informed in the presence of his lawyer that he was under arrest for the purposes of the search?
A. Yes my lord.
Q. He was informed he was under arrest awaiting the search for these three searches?
A. Before the team left Accra to Kumasi and Dormaa, he was in our custody and he was already under arrest.
Q. And as the lead Investigator, you’re also aware that a search was conducted at his official residence, where he used to stay as Chief Executive of COCOBOD at Cantonment?
A. Yes.
Q. Mr. Gyang, you’re also aware that in his former official residence, the investigator excavated some parts of the residence on the basis that something has been kept underground and buried.
A. I can’t remember excavation had been carried on at the former residence of the former CEO.
Q. And in fact, when he was in your custody and under arrest, his lawyers were not allowed to go with him, when you are conducting your searches?
A. He had been told before the exercise took place. He brought in a counsel.
Q. In fact, cast your mind back, Paul Gyangyou actually threatened one of the counsel when he wanted to accompany A1?
A. My lord it is never true.
Q. And in fact, when you conducted all these searches, nothing was found in all these places, which has any connections with the changes?
A. Yes my lord, nothing was found in any of the premises connected to the allegations under investigation
Q. Let me remind you, cast your mind back, before they conducted the search, they did not give him prior notice on the day before, but they informed him on the day of the searches, when he was in the company of his lawyers at EOCO?
A. I will not be surprised my lord, because as part of best practices in investigation and for the purposes of that exercise, it was only proper that he was informed that very day.
Q. When you said he was given prior notice, what you meant was that you informed him in the day that you were going to conduct the search?
A. Yes.
Q. So Mr Gyang, in your investigation you remember you interviewed a lot of the Scientists at CRIG?
A. Yes my lord.
Q. And you also remember that some of the fertilisers and chemicals you were investigating, based on the complaint you had received from the complainant, you later found that they were tested and approved before the tenure of A1?
A. I think that came up as well.
Q. And contrary to the complaint that you initially received on lithovit and you were investigating the first accused, your investigation revealed that lithovit was received before the first accused joined COCOBOD?
A. I think that also came up.
Q. In fact, when you were conducting the investigation, PW1 Dr. Franklin Amoah was the Executive Director, or the head of CRIG?
A. Yes my Lord.
Q. And in fact, your investigation also revealed that PW1 was the person, who was the then head of CRIG when lithovit was first submitted to CRIG for testing, if you can remember?
A. My Lord I can’t remember.
Q. You would also remember that your investigation team went to CRIG during the course of the investigation?
A. Yes my Lord.
Saviour Church rumpus: Abraham Adusei, others cited for contempt
Abraham Kwaku Adusei, a former Council of State Member, together with three others, have been cited for contempt at the apex court of the land.
An affidavit deposed to by Elder Peter Kwabena Adjei, of Akim Osiem, in the Eastern Region, says Messrs Abraham Kwaku Adusei, Jacob Asirifi Senior, Enoch Ofori and Daniel Mensah, being the respondents in the contempt suit, have conducted themselves contemptuously by taking steps to overreach the court.
The four are alleged to have caused changes to the signages, symbols and name of the Saviour Church from its properties, to outsmart the enforcement of orders of the Supreme Court, “with intent to misappropriate the said properties and render the orders of this court nugatory.”
A date is yet to be set for the hearing, causing discomfort for the applicant, since it may be too late to halt their actions by the time the case is called.
The Supreme Court, in 2022, overturned an earlier decision that confirmed Opanyin Abraham Kwaku Adusei, as the leader of the Saviour Church at Osiem, in the Eastern Region.
This was in a four-three majority decision by a seven-member panel of the apex court.
It followed an appeal filed by the plaintiffs, Mr Asante Asirifi Dadeako and two others, who sought to restrain Opanyin Abraham from using the name of the church to do spiritual and religious activities.
The Apex Court, in November 2021, in a three-two majority decision by a five-member panel, confirmed the former Council of State member under the erstwhile Mahama administration as the leader of the church.
The judgement followed 24 years of litigation after the death of Isaac Asirifi Asante, when some members initiated legal action to restrain Opanyin Adusei, as the General Superintendent, and from using the name of the church to do spiritual and religious activities.
The plaintiffs alleged the church was incorporated in 2007 as a limited liability company, saying they alone had the legal right to operate with the church’s name.
They added that Opanyin Adusei had exceeded his legal mandate and had been using the name of the church wrongly.
In view of this, the panel, presided over by His Lordship, Justice Dotse, ruled that Opanyin Abraham had no right to any branch or property of Saviour Church, hence cannot take custody of its own branches.
The court ordered that the application for review having succeeded the net effect is that the concurrent judgements of the High Court and Court of Appeal which upheld the applicant’s claims in the name of Saviour Church of Ghana and dismissed the respondent’s counterclaim are hereby restored.
The judgement of the ordinary bench of this court dated 24th November 2021 and the consequential orders emanating therefrom, are hereby set aside.
The applicants, being a legal entity, duly incorporated under the laws of the Republic of Ghana is entitled to operate, in accordance with its regulations or constitution and shall, in consequence, be entitled to acquire, keep or recover any properties belonging to them in the possession of the respondents or any other person.
Other members of the panel included Justice Gabriel Pwamang, Justice Avril Lovelace-Johnson, Justice Clemence Jackson Honyenuga and Justice Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu.
The rest are Justice Prof. Henrietta Mensah-Bonsu and Justice Yonny Kulendi.
YEA ‘rescues’ 282 former tollbooth workers
The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has initiated a ground-breaking employment drive targeting 282 former tollbooth workers, mainly persons with disabilities (PWDs), who lost their jobs as a result of the suspension of road toll collection in Ghana.
This move comes as part of YEA’s broader commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the workforce.
Speaking at a press conference held at the agency’s head office in Accra yesterday, Kofi Agyepong, CEO of YEA, underscored the pivotal role of the agency in providing employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth, amidst economic uncertainties.
He highlighted the unique challenges faced by former tollbooth workers, following the government’s decision to suspend road toll collection, leaving hundreds of individuals without employment.
“Whilst this decision elicited widespread enthusiasm, we must acknowledge its consequential impact on a segment of our society that found itself in a precarious situation.
“Specifically, over 200 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) experienced a loss of livelihood as a direct result of this policy shift. These individuals, previously employed as breadwinners for their families, were now faced with unemployment and its accompanying hardships,” he said.
Recognising the need for proactive intervention, YEA embarked on a comprehensive recruitment drive, in collaboration with government ministries and advocacy organisations.
The result of this initiative saw 282 former tollbooth workers successfully employed as staff members of YEA.
“Rather than lamenting the circumstances, we viewed this as an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to effecting positive change,” he said.
These individuals have been strategically placed in roles such as Regional Disability Desk Officers and District Disability Desk Officers, spanning all regions and 266 operational districts of the agency.
“This brings me immense joy,” Agyepong said, adding that: “This employment affords them not only a sense of pride and financial stability but also positions of influence where they can contribute meaningfully to policy formulation and implementation concerning disability rights.”
In addition to addressing the immediate needs of former tollbooth workers, YEA has developed alternative pathways, through impactful programmes such as the Business and Employment Assistance Programme (BEAP), Youth in Skills training and the garment and textile training initiative under the Garment and Textile module, ensuring equitable opportunities for all individuals.
According to him, the agency ensured the welfare and social security of its newly employed PWDs, guaranteeing them equitable treatment and access to the same benefits, enjoyed by other government employees.
He expressed profound gratitude to all partners and collaborators including the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations, Ministry of Roads and Transport, Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disabilities (CEPD) who contributed to the success of this initiative, reaffirming the YEA’s unwavering commitment to championing the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities in Ghana.
NDC MP threatens to sue GRA Boss
The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, will be sued over his age and continued stay in office.
The threat to the GRA boss to face the music the legal way was issued by the minority Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor.
According to him, the NDC in parliament is enraged over the continued stay in office of Amishaddai, though he is over 60 years old, and worse “without a contract extension” from the Ministry of Finance.
The NDC MP argued that the GRA boss ought not to be in office, considering that he had no document backing him.
“The collusion and the cronyism and politics are what are eating our system away. For this matter, if it is not politics, in which country will this happen? And he himself too; it doesn’t bother him to prompt that you must regularise my stay? … People [like Rev. Owusu-Amoah] don’t care any longer, but a day is coming when they will care,” Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor said in an interview with Okay FM.
He is citing Rev. Owusu-Amoah for benefiting from unearned salaries, which is a legal violation, an irregularities the Auditor General identifies every year.
At a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee recently, Rev. Owusu-Amoah confirmed that he was beyond sixty years old and had been asked by the Finance Minister to stay on with a written contract.
In the view of Mr. Dafeamekpor, the government should have taken immediate steps after the Public Accounts Committee hearing to regularise Rev. Owusu-Amoah’s stay at the GRA.
During his session at the Public Accounts Committee on January 29, 2024 the Commissioner General of the GRA, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, stirred up controversy by refusing to disclose his age.
The drama unfolded when committee member and MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nettey George, probed the Commissioner General about his age, a query met with resistance.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei-Asare, who accompanied the GRA boss, objected to the question, deeming it personal, and argued that it should be ruled out.
However, Committee Chairman James Klutse Avedzi overruled the objection, asserting that the Commissioner General, being a public officer, should disclose his age.
In his defence, Sam George argued that the public has a vested interest in the age of the Commissioner General.
He referenced a statement made by Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta during last year’s Budget reading, wherein it was emphasised that individuals reaching retirement age would not be granted contractual extensions unless their expertise was deemed scarce.
The Commissioner General’s refusal to divulge his age or retirement date added a layer of intrigue to the proceedings, prompting a temporary adjournment of the Public Accounts Committee sitting.
Despite the committee’s efforts, attempts to extract this information from Dr. Amishaddai proved futile, leaving many with raised eyebrows.
Ampoma L/A School applauds 1979 group for donation of sports equipment
The staff and students of Ampoma D/A Junior High School has extended their heartfelt thanks to the 1979 year group for donation of jerseys and sports equipment.
The donation of these items was led by Nana Awiti Kuffor Justice.
As the school prepares for the sports competition, they have promised Nana Awiti Kuffor Justice and the year group to make good use of the equipment.
Below is the full statement;
We the staff and learners of Ampoma D/AJHS wish to write to show our profound appreciation and gratitude to the year group and ESPECIALLY MR. AYENSU BENJANIN KODOM OF CHICAGO for your kind gesture to the school.
We asked for a school jersey in order to help us take part in the inter-school sports competition, which will be hosted by our school, and within this short period of time you were able to provide the school a nice customised jersey. We are indeed saying that we are grateful to you.
We promise to take good care of the jersey and also win the cup in honour of you and the entire year group.
May the Good Lord richly bless you and all the members of the year group and we pray for more.
Editorial: Solar powered traffic lights should be revamped
In June 2014, the Daily Graphic carried a story under the headline, “Solar power for traffic in Accra.” According to the story, a good number of traffic lights in Accra were to be powered by solar energy.
That year, the Daily Graphic report we are referencing said traffic lights at intersections, in areas such as Nationalist Park, American House, Kawukudi, Flagstaff (now Jubilee) House and Fiesta Royale Hotel were being ran on solar energy.
Solar energy involves the conversion of sunlight into electricity, by either using photovoltaic cells (PV) or concentrated solar power (CSP). The CSP systems use lenses or mirrors, and a tracking device to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. PV converts light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.
The report said that the move had come about as the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) turned to the renewable energy source as a means to eliminate chaos at road intersections in the city, often caused by power outages that render traffic lights non-functional.
We must commend the then government for rolling out such a laudable initiative, which meant that the pressure on the national grid would be reduced because the solar system derives its source of power from the sun to charge its batteries to operate the traffic lights. In this age of energy conservation, there is no doubt that solar energy is a sure way to provide an uninterrupted power supply.
Experts say solar power could last for days without sunshine, as the batteries conserve excess energy to be used on days that are not so sunny.
Yes, the cost to purchase the solar panels to be fixed on all the traffic lights may be huge, but it is more economical than relying on electricity. The cost of maintaining solar panels is also cheaper as compared to electricity.
We have observed that several of the traffic lights are still on the national grid, so anytime there is a power outage, the traffic lights are rendered unfunctional. Also, some work for a short period and then stop functioning.
Yesterday, at Nii Boi Town, Accra, the traffic light was not functioning due to lights off, a situation that created chaos for vehicles and pedestrians on the N1 Highway, an extension of the Tema-Accra motorway, which connects to the Central Region and beyond.
This tells you how busy that road is, coupled with residents in and around Abeka, Lapaz, Nii Boi Town, and surrounding areas that use the NI highway.
It is typical in Ghana that some drivers do not respect zebra crossings, even in few places with zebra crossings, let alone where there are no zebra crossings and the traffic lights are not functional, because there is no power from the national grid.
This is of grave concern to us, as it affects the movement of motorists and pedestrians. The National Roads Safety Commission tells of the sad story of pedestrian knockdowns, some of which are attributable to no traffic lights, non-functional ones or sheer disregard of the traffic light by some pedestrians and drivers.
The Chronicle will recommend that government revisits the exercise to connect all traffic lights to solar power. Also, those with solar power but have developed faults should be repaired.
When the country successfully connects all traffic lights to solar, especially in the major cities, the load on the national grid will reduce, and the government can save money.
We will further suggest to government that in considering new procurement for solar panels or even straight lights, more durable and quality ones should be looked out for, in the interest of giving value to the taxes of the citizens.
The traffic lights are often situated near street lights. We urge the sector responsible to also ensure that those lights are functional so as to provide illumination on the roads, especially at intersections.
Biden says ‘Putin and his thugs’ caused Navalny’s death
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for Alexei Navalny‘s death and warned there could be consequences, saying he was “not surprised” but “outraged” by the opposition leader’s passing.
“We don’t know exactly what happened, but there is no doubt that the death of Nalvany was a consequence of something that Putin and his thugs did,” Biden said at the White House after Russian prison officials announced that Navalny had died.
“Russian authorities are going to tell their own story,” Biden said. “But make no mistake. Make no mistake: Putin is responsible for Navalny’s death.”
He also said he was “contemplating” additional steps to punish Russia in the aftermath of Navalny’s death, paying tribute to the opposition leader for “bravely” standing up to Putin’s government’s “corruption” and “violence.”
“We’re contemplating what else can be done,” Biden said in response to questions from reporters. “We’re looking at a whole number of options, that’s all I’ll say right now.”
Biden also told reporters that there was “no nuclear threat to the people of America or anywhere else in the world with what Russia is doing at the moment,” even as Russia considered deploying anti-satellite technology in space. Russia has previously denied the claim.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what possible steps against Russia were being evaluated.
U.S. officials were still seeking more information about Navalny’s death at a Russian penal colony north of the Arctic Circle, where he was dispatched less than two months ago.
But the development, and Biden’s reaction, has put a further chill into already bitter U.S.-Russian relations.
The 47-year-old Navalny had been a leading critic of Putin, and Biden had said after meeting Putin in Geneva in June 2021 that Nalvany’s death would risk devastating consequences for Putin.
Biden and Putin remain deeply at odds over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago, over which Russia has been sanctioned by the United States and other Western nations, and Biden is urging Republican hardliners in the U.S. Congress to support additional funding to pay for more weaponry for Ukraine’s military.
Russia has figured prominently on the campaign trail as Biden seeks reelection in November.
His expected Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, triggered bipartisan outrage last week by saying he would do nothing to defend NATO allies from Russia unless they paid a greater share for the common defenses.
The top Republican in Congress, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, has not put a Senate bill including $95.34 billion in security assistance for Ukraine and Israel, international humanitarian aid and resources to help allies in the Indo-Pacific up to a vote.
After Navalny’s death, Johnson said the U.S. and its allies should use “every means available to cut off Putin’s ability to fund his unprovoked war in Ukraine and aggression against the Baltic states.”
“History’s watching the House of Representatives. The failure to support Ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten,” Biden said.
In Munich for a major security conference, Vice President Kamala Harris vowed that the U.S. would never retreat from its NATO alliance obligations put in place after World War Two, contrasting Biden’s approach to global engagement with presidential election hopeful Trump’s isolationist views.
She also met with Alexei Navalny’s wife Yulia on the margins of the conference and “expressed her sorrow and outrage” over reports of her husband’s death, a White House official said.
Biden’s presidential reelection campaign on Friday released a new minute-long advertisement blasting Trump for abandoning NATO. They planned to target the ad to 2.5 million American voters in the closely contested election states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania who trace their ancestry to the NATO states bordering Russia.
(Reporting by Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Ismail Shakil, Gabriel Araujo and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)
By Steve Holland and Trevor Hunnicutt
Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle
Civil servants to work from office 3-days-a-week, says Lagos state governor
As Nigerians lament the high cost of living crisis in the country, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that Lagos State civil servants from Level 1 to 14 will come to work physically three times a week and work virtually for the two other days to ease economic pressure in the state.
The governor, who stated this during a media chat on Thursday, also announced a 25% reduction on all public transportation in the state.
Sanwo-Olu said, “The first thing that we will be doing in the state going forward is that we want to start with our own public servants, to say that even the challenges that we’ve seen now, can we be creative and have flexible working hours?
“So, immediately from next week, we are working out a plan where civil servants from Level 1 to 14 will come to the office maximum three times a week. Not that any form of government will be shut down; it will be all calendarised and it will be schedule.
“Level 15 to 17 will miss work a day. What are we trying to achieve? We are seeking to achieve a process whereby people will even slow down and reduce the pressure on the work environment.”
Sanwo-Olu said the state government does not want a “charged, aggravated workforce” hence the option of a hybrid work schedule to reduce the number of days workers come to work physically.
He said the measure will reduce pressure on the roads, and reduce economic pressure on the workers.
Protests have rocked Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Niger and some parts of the country in the last few weeks over the hardship experienced in the country as Nigerians lament food inflation, high cost of living, amongst other harsh living conditions occasioned by the removal of petrol subsidy, forex crisis, amongst others.
Credit: channelstv.com
Dollar will soon crash under Naira -Ogun State Governor
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has allayed the fears of Nigerians over the continuous rise of the dollar stating that the global currency will soon crash against the Naira.
The governor noted that the Federal Government is doing everything to deliver on its electoral promises.
Abiodun said this on Thursday, in Abeokuta, at a stakeholders meeting held at the Cultural Center.
The governor convened the meeting on the heels of the prevailing economic hardship in the country, saying the government is not resting on its oars.
Abiodun, who drew his confidence from an emergency meeting with President Bola Tinubu earlier on Wednesday, stressed that the federal government is aware of the problems and ready to address them head-on.
Recall that Abiodun during a press briefing last week announced a N5 billion intervention fund to cushion the effect of rising cost of living and inflation in the State.
Speaking at the event, Abiodun said, “As our administration acknowledges the concerns raised by many of our citizens regarding the rising food prices and shortages, coupled with the depreciation of the Naira, we identify with you and are taking proactive measures to alleviate the impact of these challenges to guarantee the welfare, well-being and wellness of our citizens in this difficult time.
The governor added that his administration would provide health insurance that will cover over 70,000 beneficiaries including pregnant women, children, the elderly, market women and other members of the informal sector.
According to the governor, while pregnant women, under the Ibidero Scheme would be provided with free prenatal care, an additional N5,000 per birth and free post-natal care in the State Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centers across the State has also been activated.
Governor Abiodun stated that provision would be made for food palliatives to include rice and other food items for about 300,000 households across the State.
His words, “The State Government will commence to offset the backlog of inherited deductions. To this end, we are immediately committing N500 million in monthly payments towards outstanding deductions. It is noteworthy that we have continued to pay N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the last 8 months.
Credit: dailypost.ng
