MIMIKO’S STRATEGY FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVOLUTION IN ONDO STATE

MIMIKO’S STRATEGY FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC REVOLUTION IN ONDO STATE
BY: AMOS OLATOYE

It is six months since Ondo , the sunshine state, was set on the path of restoration following the appeal court sitting in Benin which upheld the earlier verdict of the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led tribunal confirming Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the labour party as the rightful winner of the April 2007 Governorship election in Ondo State. Having been given the mandate to lead his people, Governor Olusegun Mimiko wasted no time in wiping the tears of anguish from their faces by opening a new vista of hope. The governor unveiled a 12-point programme christened “A caring Heart” –the key to unlocking the potential of the state.

To actualize his massive rural transformation vision, Dr. Mimiko initiated the “Quick win”, project through community “Change Agents”. The “Change Agents” in less than two months traversed 80 communities across three local government areas. Eighty projects were identified at a cost of Five Million Naira each per community for which N350 Million has been earmarked. This wholesome novel idea billed for execution within two months enables each community to identify and choose its own project in the area of felt-need. In the education sector, Governor Mimiko, within few days in Office approved the 27.5% Teachers’ salary Structure (TSS). Nine secondary schools Principals were elevated to the position of Tutors-General, a Permanent Secretary’s status in the civil service to rekindle commitment and re-assure teachers that reward should start here on earth. Governor Mimiko broke the logjam at the State government owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, by paying all the ten months arrears of salaries owed the staff. The institution which was earlier shut down is now re-opened.

A prompt intervention in the Health sector saw Governor Olusegun Mimiko establishing a Mother and Child hospital within a month in office. Apart from decongesting the Akure State Specialist Hospital , the Mother and Child hospital with five large wards and specialized Medicare will be available free to the highly vulnerable group - the pregnant women and children, from zero age to five years including surgeries where needed.

This is in addition to the re-opening of the General Hospital at Igbotako which was shut many years ago. Following the foot-steps of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who expressed concern over primitive system of farming” Dr. Mimiko ordered an increase in tractors for farmers and procured over N200 Million agricultural input with 30% subsidy for sale to farmers. In the first 100 days, 40 solar-powered boreholes were completed to cater for the immediate needs of some critical segment of the society and emerging residential layouts in Akure. As part of its housing policy the Mimiko administration, the first set of 350, out of the 1,500 housing units designed for Akure are being completed at Oba-Ile and Oda road. Some moribund industries such as the Cocoa Catalytic Industry in Idanre and the Alpha D Industry in Ikare have received new lease of life and are almost resuming production. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to produce a gas master plan has been signed with Shell. Hence gas is to be piped to an industrial village to be centrally located at Ore.

A real manifestation of a Caring Heart was the prompt response of Governor Mimiko to the plight of residents of more than 350 houses who were rendered homeless after a devastating rainstorm. In the same week, Fifty Million Naira was released to provide trailer loads of relief materials and cash gifts, including restoration of electricity to the affected areas. In another vein, the Governor took, headlong, the reconstruction of the failed portion of the Ogbese/Owo federal road including massive drainages on both sides of the roads to save Thousands of lives at risk on the busy highway. The State Government has also begun a massive reconstruction of all roads starting from the capital city, Akure. Governor Olusegun Mimiko released the sum of fifty Million naira for over 200 groups of market women under the Special Market Women Improvement Loan Scheme (SMILES) with only 9% interest rate and without any collateral.

So far, 700 individual market women have benefited across the 3 senatorial districts of Ondo State in the first phase. Close to the heart of Governor Mimiko is the transformation of the State into one in which its wealth is equitably distributed. It therefore behooves on all to begin to see a New Ondo State, where dreams are becoming realities and words are fast turning into action; a state where every action of government is people–centered. As, the Governor declared. “The reason why we are in government is because of the people. We must make our people in Ondo State Happy”.

Source FRCN.Recorded Live from the daily commentaries