Governor Seyi Makinde’s Sustainable Action for Economy Recovery (SAfER) is ambitious and audacious but falls short of lifting people from the pits of grinding and biting social-economic reality. “Instead of speaking of palliatives measures which deal with symptoms but do not solve the problem here in Oyo state”, the Governor enthused in one of his newsletters on the subject “we introduced sustainable actions for economy recovery.
For the most part, the program aims at providing food relief packages, health insurance, extended bus service, inputs distribution to farmers, support for youth agro-preneurs, support for small businesses, and civil servant support. Already, the chief of staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi has been appointed to head the committee while various sub-committees have also been set up to ensure the seamless success of the program. “Some have asked how we created and updated our social register that contains details of this household” the Governor interjected “Well, we put together the register during the COVID-19 pandemic”. We deployed trusted representatives to communities in every part of our state, the Governor said, they met with and spoke to community heads whole helped to identify the vulnerable in their midst. After this, we did a further verification of the data.
As it’s always the case, there have always been concerns around the process that led to the list of beneficiaries. Almost everyone has an opinion about how the selection process of beneficiaries should be. For the government, this has always been a challenge. Ultimately, making decisions that will reflect the overall interest of the majority is not always that simple or easy. Rather than see well-intentioned critique and criticism of policies as the handiwork of political opponents, understanding issues through the perspectives of critics can serve the government in ways never imagined.
To say that a particular government policy is fraught with inadequacies is not to belittle those in charge, instead, it is to open them to their confirmation and desirability biases. For instance, allowing local government to generate lists of vulnerable people in collaboration with community heads can help strengthen their bond while also ensuring the ultimate success of an important program like this. Simply pushing local government at the grassroots by the wayside is demeaning. Surprisingly, no mention was made of the synergy between the state and local government in delivering this SAfER initiative to the people. In a way, Governor Makinde might have an axe to grind with council bosses but sidelining and relegating them in critical situations like this is unbecoming. And to spew the muted and defeated mantra of local government is corrupt, I hope the Governor can stop and face the mirror. In an indicting investigation carried out by the Punch newspaper, only Jigawa and Rivers states are reported to demonstrate transparency, fairness, and openness in handling local government funds. The rest including Oyo has lots of skeleton in their cupboards. So, the idea that local government is corrupt does not hold water when the state is equally culpable.
Up till now, nobody knows those trusted representatives appointed by the government to vet collate the names of vulnerable people. Were they drawn from bottom up or top-to-bottom? Drawing from hindsight, an important program like this tends to be conducted in high-brow offices where officials in expensive suits are cut off from the murky and messy realities of the people in the rural areas. Reflecting on the numerous failures of the government in adopting top-to-bottom approaches should have served those in government but no, it has not. In essence, you can’t make crucial decisions on behalf of the people without contending with their stark reality. Co-opting local government into this program will undoubtedly accentuate the trust deficit between the state and the local governments, unfortunately, this might be another missed chance. In a way, those at the grassroots have the opportunity to frustrate the smooth running and eventual success of the program.
For one, consulting and confiding community leaders in ‘identifying the most vulnerable in their midst’ is just one out of many steps of identifying those that need help the most, it is not the all. Expanding the social safety net is another. But let’s face it, who is not vulnerable as the cost of living continues to jump over the roof? Oyo state has an estimated 7.9 million people. Feeding the 200,000 poorest of the households with 10kg of rice, 5kg of beans, garri, clubs, and a bottle of groundnut oil is like throwing a stone into the ocean.
Once government handouts run out, the reality of daily life will set in again. Giving out food relief packages is good but not great. What is great is to create an enabling environment where people can feed themselves without waiting for the government to come to their rescue. And one sure way to do this is to rethink the economic model that has thrown more people into the den of poverty. People are poor not because all of them are lazy. The same model that has made politics and crimes lucrative can not be trusted to share prosperity with the downtrodden. Makinde’s SAfER is simply a scratch at the surface of the deep-rooted socioeconomic challenges confronting people. It’s a palliative dressed in the robe of a serious economic program.
In another instance, the expanded bus service would have dramatically tipped the narrative on the government’s side, but like the rest, its effect has been disappointing. Fuel subsidy removal has made traveling a lot more difficult for intra-state travelers. Unfortunately, the changes in the transport fare between state-owned and commercial buses have been somewhat infinitesimal. When the government decides to help, it should help. Stepping aside half a billion naira for youth agro-preneurs and small businesses is commendable. The hope is that such money doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Governor Makinde might enjoy the massive and overwhelming support of the youths, and following through on this action plan will further draw him closer to them. The bitter truth is that most of the items on the Governor’s SAfER program will definitely help some people but in the long run, it is still federal government social economic policy frameworks that will change the lot of most people.
OYO101 is Muftau Gbadegesin’s opinion about Issues affecting Oyo state, published on Saturdays. He can be reached via @TheGMAKing on Twitter, muftaugbadegesin@gmail.com and 09065176850
