Chief Adelami has called on the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to stop prevaricating without any professional measure and approach to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in Ondo State.
Chief Olayide Adelami, mni, a Governorship aspirant in 2020 Governorship election in Ondo State, a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, a former Secretary (Permanent Secretary), department of Procurement, Estate and Works; a Chartered Accountant, a Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supplies Management of Nigeria, a Fellow of chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Institute of Costing and Management Accounts and Ondo State Coordinator of Presidential Support Committee for the re-election of President Buhari in 2019.
Chief Adelami noted that there is need for the Governor to understand the
socio-economic environment of our dear State and also know that the sit down at home measure adopted in state and Nigeria at large in the interim, is not a sustainable measure against the spread of the covid-19 pandemic.
“Frankly, it shouldn’t be hurtful to say that the present Governor of Ondo State is running in a circle for him just to be seen, “doing something“ even if what he’s doing does not have positive impact in the lives of the people.
“Ondo State is purely an agrarian rural economy, where about 70% of the population engaged in subsistence farming, retail trading, and Artisan works, which in most cases operate in subsistence. Moreover, about 40% of the Ondo State population represents unemployed and underemployed workers. What this implies is that, majority of the Ondo State population depends on daily or near daily incomes. Therefore, the locked down myopic strategy is not the best solution to the curtailment of the Covid-19 pandemic. No doubt, the lock down strategy will definitely amount to an economic suicide for the state if it continues beyond now”.
“The palliative measures of food distribution as relief materials for the people of Ondo State will not sustain them beyond a day or at most two days. So, the Governor has to look for realistic approaches to mitigate the needs of the people rather than this mess”.
“For me, what we should be talking about now is how to adopt sustainable solutions early enough. I mean proper sustainability which will drastically reduce the hardship of the people; bring sincerity of purpose and compassion rather than this present deterioration. The sustainability that will bring about economic growth to the State and take advantage of the present situation as a spring board for both short term and long term economic situations and aspirations”.
“However, it’s painful that for the past three years of Akeredolu-led administration in the state, Ondo State being an agrarian environment, we are still importing rice from Jigawa, Kebbi and Ebonyi States. Quite unfortunate”. Chief Adelami said.
“In my own perspective, what is expected from the government in this critical time is to start throwing its weight behind the following as a matter of priority:
(1). Expanding the safety social net and food security for the masses through aggressive agrobusiness programs
(2). Creating of more testing centers for suspected Covid-19 cases in the three Senatorial districts of the State.
(3). Lock down all the borders of the State with high cadre security with strict enforcement but allow free movement for economic activities as well as maintaining social distancing.
(4). All manners of gathering in places of worship and social gatherings should remain lockdown till the pandemic is abated
(5). Create Agricultural financing schemes, through soft loans, to entice the youths back to farming. As a long term plan, government should adopt a policy of buy-back period of such proceeds in other to encourage the farmers for continuity . This will assist in creating the proposed food banks in each of the three Senatorial districts.
(6). Embark on aggressive sensitisation, information dissemination and enlightenment campaigns on preventive and management of Covid-19 through all media avenues.
(7). Invest in research work and collaborate with local researchers and indigenous orthodox health practitioners to find medical solutions to this Covid-19 pandemic or and future pandemic that may occur.
He finally appreciated the people of Ondo State for exercising patience and endurance till this time. He assured to turn things around for better if elected as the next Governor of Ondo State.
