Abiodun Seeks Approval Of  2.5bn CBN Health Intervention Fund From Ogun Assembly

The Ogun State house of Assembly has acknowledged the request of the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun Government seeking the Assembly’s approval to access N2.5bn in the ongoing intervention fund provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria towards strengthening the State Health Sector.

 This is also to enable it meet up with the rising demand for healthcare products and services as part of efforts at ameliorating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the nation.

The Speaker of the Assembly Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, who read the Governor’s letter dated 12th August, 2020 before the lawmakers at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, noted the correspondence was received 27th of August, 2020; adding that the request was in line with the program of the present administration’s commitment at improving health care delivery across the State.

“In line with the program of our administration to improve health care delivery across the State, by providing effective and efficient healthcare facilities to the good people of our dear State, it becomes necessary for the State to participate in the ongoing intervention fund of the CBN which is given at a single digit interest rate for a tenor of ten (10) years” the letter partly reads.

According to the Governor, the objective of the Scheme which was offered at a single digit interest rate for a tenor of ten years was geared towards reducing health tourism to conserve foreign exchange, while providing long-term, low cost finance for healthcare infrastructure development that would lead to the evolvement of world-class healthcare facilities; with provision of shared services through one-stop healthcare solution to enhance competition, thereby reducing the cost of healthcare delivery in the nation.

In another development, Speaker Oluomo has called on the State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) to extend its tax relief intervention to owners of Small and Medium Enterprises in the State, with a view to improving on the enabling and business-friendly environment put in place by the present administration.

The Speaker, who gave the directive while responding to the submissions of the Chief Whip and a member representing Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Atinuke Bello under Personal Explanation, stated that the owners of such petty businesses deserved such in view of the adverse effects of covid 19 pandemic that had affected the nation and global economy. He thereafter directed the agency’s revenue tax enforcement team to engage the business owners with human face in their revenue generation drive.

Also, Oluomo appealed to the State Governor to as a matter of urgency engage the leadership of the various nations’ security formations including the Police and the Nigerian Customs Service on the need to curb the overzealousness of their men and officers especially on rule of engagements in relation to their duties in border towns in the State to further strengthen security of lives and property in the areas.

The Speaker made the appeal while responding to the submissions of a member representing Yewa North I State Constituency, Hon. Adegoke Adeyanju and his Yewa North II counterpart, Haruna Wahab, who decried the incessant harassment of their constituents by security operatives,  who often mounted countless check points to extort law-abiding citizens during their daily business activities.

Oluomo equally directed the State Public Works Agency to liaise with the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to put palliative on the bad portions of the Adatan-Ibadan road to reduce road accidents in response to the presentation of a member representing Odeda State Constituency, Hon. Oludaisi Elemide who sought the intervention of government on the failed portion of the road.