By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly says all hands must be on deck to enhance social investment programs in the interest of the vulnerable populations .

It also stressed the need to strengthen the Boundary Commission to further ensure relative peace in the State.

The Chairman, House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and multilateral relations, Fatai Atere stated these when he led other members on a visit to the Public and intergovernmental relations and the State Boundary Commission in Akure.

The Committee appreciated the Agencies for their selfless efforts in delivering on mandates, urging them not to relent in achieving the set goals .

While advising the Managements to always carry the Committee along in whatever they are doing, the Lawmakers opined that the importance of both Agencies cannot be overlooked.

They acknowledged that their services have direct impacts on the people and the environment, charging the Public and intergovernmental relations Agency to overhaul the social register from time to time to avert ghost beneficiaries, ensure indigenes benefit immensely and make the youth program more attractive.

Earlier, Administrative Secretary Public and intergovernmental relations,Mrs Yemi Pirisola informed that the Federal government of Nigeria established the National social investment programs in 2016 to tackle poverty and hunger across the Country.

She mentioned the programs to include, conditional grants scheme, national home grown school feeding,N-power, government enterprise and empowerment program, State cash transfer and ODCARES-labour intensive public works which vulnerable are benefitting directly through State social register.

The Secretary said some of the programs were on hold because of the issue at the federal Ministry which they have assured will soon be over, adding that their challenges include, pressure and release of fund from the state government.

While briefing the Honourable members on their activities and challenges ,the Secretary Boundary Commission,Mr FO Adaramola informed that the commission was established in 1994.
saddled with the resolution and management of boundary disputes in the State, with the Deputy Governor as chairman and other members in the composition.

The Secretary noted that the commission has intervened in several disputes in interstate, intrastate, and communal disputes .

He sought for the committee’s support in accessing fund , installation of solar, getting operational vehicles and necessary tools to be more effective in their activities.