– State Government Doles Out N50m Housing Loan to Workers
THE Ondo State Labor Party witnessed another avalanche of defection into its folds on Friday, as about 3,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Nigeria Peoples Party declared solidarity with the governing party in the state.
On hand to receive the defectors was the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who used the occasion to warn those who plan to cause violence or general unrest in the state to stay away from the state.
Addressing the new members in Akure, Mimiko said law enforcement agencies are battle ready for law breakers should they turn deaf ears to wise counsel to allow free and fair elections in the state.
“There has been a lot of rumor about the outbreak of violence in Ondo State in the forthcoming election. I want to assure you that the law enforcement agencies are up to the task.
“The era of election brigandage is certainly gone in this state. I have no doubt in my mind that this coming election will be free and fair. Never again will Ondo State witness violence during elections. By the grace of God, both old and the young, you will continue to experience happiness,” he said.
Mimiko described the current wave of mass defection to Labor Party as a testimony to the acceptance and acknowledgment of the achievements of the present administration in different sectors of human endeavor.
“Those who decamped today are tested and experienced politicians. Even in your constituencies, Labor Party members can now sleep with their two eyes closed because of your political sagacity. We have to appreciate those who have decided to join our party and I want to assure them that they will be carried along in the scheme of things.
“We must ensure that we do what we are expected to do to make sure that we wipe the scourge of poverty out of the land. That is the work and responsibility of government. That was the promise we made to you when we were sworn in that we will work for you. This government will continue to work for you,” he added.
The decamped who declared for the Labour Party include four former local government chairmen under the administration of former governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu.
They are Prince Tunde Adegbonmire who later became the Chairman of the State Library Board, Dr. Adeluse Obe, Mr. Adesoye Obele, all from Ifedore and Prince Olu Falolu from Odigbo.
Previously, the state government gave out N50million housing loan to civil servants in the state just as it has also concluded all formalities to deploy Information Communication Technology (ICT) to all its land reform programs towards an efficient land ownership mapping and documentation.
The state’s Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Dr. Bade Omoloja who made the disclosure in Akure said the loan would be given at a very low interest rate to be repaid within fifteen years adding that the government would this year give out the sum of N50 million provided for in this year budget to Civil Servants as loan under the Housing Loan Scheme as part of effort at providing affordable shelter for the people.
Omoloja disclosed that well over a thousand Civil Servants had so far benefited from the scheme since the inception of the present government. He noted that government would continue to explore all avenues available within the limited resources of the State to care and better the lots of the people.