[Nigeria] 'My Priority Is Poverty Eradication'

from All Africa

Sheriff Balogun
Ondo

Former Minister of Housing, Hon. (Mrs.) Mobolaji Osomo, has explained that the reason why she is contesting the Ondo State gubernatorial position, is to a ensure that the incidence of poverty is checked in order to enable the state sustain her economic and social reforms.

Osomo, who spoke to THISDAY in Lagos, said it was disheartening that the poverty level in the state was causing untold hardship on people despite the fact that the state's montly revenue allocation was over N3 billion. The former minister, who is aspiring to contest the gubernatorial seat under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) noted that what the state needed was a more enhanced socio-economic masterplan, which when implemented would boost the fortunes of the state.

According to her, "there is need for immediate change ofcourse, we may not meet the goals, Ondo State need all these development goals which are a new plan of action aimed at achieving the required goals, other states have gone ahead of us, we have not started".

Shedding more light on her blueprint for the state, Osomo revealed that her main focus would be to establish macro-economic stability, adding that there was need for strong institutions and good governance to enforce the rule of law and control corruption.

She said her major area of concern would be to tie her policy frame work around the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which seeks to eradicate income inadequacies, deplorable living standard, environmental deterioration, lack of education, healthcare, and clean water.

She added that in order to realise these goals, it was imperative that a leadership change should set in in order to address the imbalance.

"We are facing the steepest development chanllenges. Without an immediate change in course and leadership we will not meet the goals. A new plan-of action is needed", she said.

Osomo, who expressed disdain over the living standard of the masses said the situation had risen to a level, where something drastic needed to be done to arrest the situation.

"Low economic development, where there are no no industries, farming, and over population. Inability of an area to harmonise and use its natural resources in a sustainable manner are some of the causes of poverty", Osomo stressed.

She, however, said "by the grace of God, when I emerged as the governor of Ondo State in 2007, I'll went through the manifestoes of the PDP that I belong to and also the Millennium agenda that am now set to handle with all sincerity of purpose".