A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, has charged all state governors to release allocations meant for local governments to reduce the spate of economic hardship in the country.
The party chieftain who made the charge at the distribution of cheques to members of ‘Atunto’ cooperative society drawn from Iwo, Ola-Oluwa and Ayedire Local Government Council Areas of the state on Wednesday, which a copy of his speech obtained on Friday by our reporter, said, if the governors release the allocations, there would be circulations of funds in the grassroots and this will alleviate poverty amongst the inhabitants.
Apart from poverty alleviation, he added that it will also enhance development of every locality in the country.
According to him, “the present economic hardship in Nigeria demands that all arms of government allow funds to circulate the system to ensure that grassroots business survives the present realities.
“Releasing funds meant for the third tiers of government is important to help combat poverty at that level.”
On the cooperative society, Babayemi said the #320 million fund pulled together by the association is to assist small scale enterprises to thrive and alleviate the suffering of the people.
“The concept of the cooperative is a grassroots movement targeted at helping businesses in rural areas survive the economic instability in Nigeria now.
“It kicked off in Osogbo on December 6th 2023, we are coming back for the grassroots to understand some of their challenges, priorities and how they expect to see economic development in societies around them”, he added.
“The cooperative movement became necessary in a bid to survive the present economic challenges, ” Babayemi submitted.
However, the President of the cooperative society, Emmanuel Moye, expressed worries about the present economic situation of the country, maintaining that the cooperative society is one of its necessities to face the challenge.