COVID-19: Support Osun financially or wave its debts, Olowu of Kuta begs FG

A foremost traditional ruler in Osun state, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Makama, Tegbosun III, has urged the federal government to support the state government financially in its bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The monarch specifically asked the federal government to either wave the debts of the state or support it with funds so as to be on sound footing in the post COVID-19 era.

Speaking at a press briefing during the distribution of relief materials to over 1,000 vulnerable indigenes and residents of the ancient town, the traditional ruler, said the fact that residents of the state have not trooped out to demand for financial assistance does not mean they are not suffering.

While lauding President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 for being proactive to curtail the spread of the dreaded coronavirus, the monarch reinstated the need for the federal government to grant debt relief to struggling states like Osun.

Thanking the federal government for the 1,800 bags of rice sent to Osun state, Oba Makama urged the PTF to do more in terms of financial assistance such as was rendered to Lagos, Ogun and the FCT in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said Osun state was not financially buoyant before the COVID-19 and that the financial challenges of the state have further put more pressure on the lean resources of the state government.

“No doubt, the efforts of the federal government has paid off as the lockdown has really worked and now that it’s being eased, I urge caution and critical appraisal of the situation before total resumption of activities.

“Human life is an invaluable asset and its preservation should be considered an utmost priority above any economic consideration or social activity that has been in limbo in the last 40 days.

“I think the federal government has done so well in curtailing the COVID-19 and we must commend them.

“Even those who had predicted doom for Africa based on the way the rampaging COVID-19 humbled some of the developed nations that boast of best healthcare infrastructure cannot, but commend the Buhari government for its comportment, proper planning and networking which has led to the reduction in fatality recorded since February 27 when the index case was detected.

“A state like Osun deserves financial assistance to augment its lean financial resources in order for its government not to grind to a halt.

“The federal government can also grant debt relief or moratorium for Osun state, so as to be on sound footing in the post COVID-19,” the monarch submitted.

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Meanwhile, the traditional ruler has also announced that the second edition of his wife’s annual empowerment programme was carried out to support the state government.

He explained that vulnerable people such as widows, orphans and the less privileged in Owu Kuta were given foodstuffs and cash to augment their feeding.

Oba Makama said his palace had also given 1,000 hand sanitizers to security agencies in the state and tertiary institutions.

He said both the hand sanitizers and foodstuffs distributed to his vulnerable subjects were valued at N10 million.

“This is our little way of giving back to the society as a royal father and to support our Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, who is doing a good job towards improving the well-being of our people,” the monarch said.