Osun To Implement Cocoa Renewal Agenda, Unveil Tractor Leasing Programme | Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Source: Independent Newspapers Nigeria

LAGOS- The Osun State Government has concluded a plan to implement its Cocoa Renewal Agenda in the bid to improve the quality and quantity of cocoa production in the state.

Governor Ademola Adeleke made the disclosure while speaking at the Ipade Imole event in Osogbo, the state capital.

He said that under the programme, cocoa farmers in the state will be empowered to increase their production capacity.

The Governor also disclosed that the state government is set to unveil a tractor leasing programme for farmers ahead of the new planting season.

The governor said that under the programme, farmers in the state will be able to lease tractors at subsidized rates.

Also speaking at , the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and Chairman, Osun Food Security Committee, Tola Faseru, stated that implementation of the recommendations of the committee will ensure food sufficiency for the people of the state.

It would be recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke, while speaking at the Workers' Day rally, said his government is working to create special food marts across the local government of the state to control food inflation.

According to him, the centreses will sell food items at controlled prices to address the current high level of food inflation.

Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to workers' welfare, affirming that his record on labour matters confirmed his love for Osun workers.

He said his government has paid over two billion naira in palliative wage awards to public servants and pensioners.

Adeleke said the government is determined to give workers the best of work environment and incentives.

He said "We are a government that walks the talk in terms of labour friendly policies and programmes. Our leadership is by all accounts, for the labour, by the labour and of the labour movement.

"We all know it has never happened for a political party to place workers welfare as the first item on its manifesto for the state. Our party and government made a conscious decision to place workers at the core of our governance agenda," the Governor said.

"I look back to what we met on the ground in November 2022 and I am proud to declare that I have kept faith with our promises, plans and agenda for our workers", the Governor.

"We have cash backed promotion of staff we met on the ground in 2022; We have implemented gradual defrayment of unpaid deductions from workers' salaries by the previous administrations

"We introduced gradual systematic payment of half salaries owed workers and retirees by past administrations. By now, we are in the process of paying the 6th month for active and retired workers while we have gone far in paying workers not yet bonded.

"Our government has also paid over two billion Naira for palliative wage awards from December 2023 till date. The payments include fifteen thousand Naira for public servants and ten thousand Naira for pensioners."