Candidate of the Democratic Leadership Alliance for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State, in the forthcoming general election, Mr Taiwo Ilawole, has criticised some lawmakers for distributing foodstuffs to the constituents as an empowerment programme.
Ilawole said food gifts could not solve the problem of the people; rather, the lawmakers should initiate programmes that would impact much more in the lives of the constituents.
The DLA candidate, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said bags of rice could not provide the lasting support constituents needed.
He said, “Cash and food assistance may offer temporary relief, but they are not a substitute for meaningful empowerment. Our people need support that builds skills, creates livelihoods, strengthens small businesses and helps families become self-reliant.”
Ilawole also said the federal constituency was having a little impact of funding on essential services and infrastructure, arguing that despite billions of naira in Zonal Intervention Project allocations, healthcare facilities and schools in the constituency remained in need of urgent improvement, no serious road construction had been facilitated to the constituency.
If elected, the opposition candidate promised to advocate practical initiatives such as vocational and technical training, support for local entrepreneurs, access to productive equipment and programmes linked to sustainable jobs.
However, he pledged to work with President Bola Tinubu’s administration to extend the benefits of its economic reforms to constituents, pursue a lasting solution to Aiyetoro’s sea-incursion crisis and attract foreign direct investment to create jobs and opportunities in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas.
The opposition candidate noted that the Tinubu administration reforms were beginning to deliver gradual gains and will work with the President in expanding access to education opportunities, attracting investment to Ilaje and Ese-Odo LGAs, promoting empowerment and infrastructure development that create sustainable livelihoods across the federal constituency.
“We will work with President Tinubu to ensure that the gains of the reforms reach our people. We must also make sure federal programmes and opportunities are accessible to students, young people and coastal communities.
”The Nigerian Education Loan Fund is one avenue for helping eligible students continue their education. We will promote awareness of opportunities through federal initiatives, including Petroleum Technology Development Fund scholarships and Niger Delta Development Commission postgraduate scholarships.
”The Aiyetoro community’s coastal crisis will be one of our focuses, we will press the Federal Government and relevant agencies for a lasting shoreline-protection solution. Our goal would be not only to protect homes and livelihoods from the advancing sea, but also to help restore Aiyetoro as a thriving centre of commerce, fishing and community life,” the DLA chieftain vowed.
He also pledged to facilitate foreign direct investment in Ese-Odo, arguing that the local government’s natural and economic assets should be developed to generate employment, expand business opportunities and strengthen local livelihoods.
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