Govt earmarks N500m for riverine development

In its bid to develop the economy of the riverine areas, the state government has empowered the people of the area with N500 million.No fewer than 5, 000 people are expected to benefit from the scheme which will see each of them receiving N50,000 for the development of their trades and vocation.Already, government has commenced the disbursement of the fund under the scheme to be supervised by the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC).OSOPADEC is an intervention agency established through Act of Parliament for the management of 40 per cent out of the 13 per cent derivation fund accruable to the state for being an oil producing state.Those expected to benefit from the programme are traders, market women, artisans, fishermen and women, aged people, the less privileged and the physically challenged.According to the chairman of the commission, Debo Ajimuda, the programme, which commenced in 2008 was packaged for the socio-economic development of the oil producing communities of the state.He noted that when the programme kicked off in 2008, at least 1000 senior citizens of the area were given N35, 000 by the commission.He, however, said following the interest shown by the people of the area in the scheme, government increased the number of beneficiaries to 1320 with each going home with N30, 000.Ajimuda, however, stated that government had, again, increased the number of beneficiaries to 1, 700 in the 2010 edition and each would receive N50, 000.He added that the commission had earmarked N85 million for the programme in 2010, adding that the scheme would continue since it had been accepted by the people.According to him, the commission had registered 370 physically challenged persons with the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko approving N10 million for their welfare.
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