Ogun State Government has disbursed a sum of N159m as Grant-in-aid to Community Development Associations (CDAs) to serve as assisted fund on self-help projects, as well as Subventions/Administrative grants to Trade Associations/Groups in the State.

The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who presented cheques to the benefited CDAs and Trade Associations during the celebration of year 2022 International Community Day and World Trade Day at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, said his administration would continue to embark on people-oriented policies and programmes.

Governor Abiodun stated that the Associations’ contributions in the area of socio- economic growth had helped the State to increase its Gross Domestic Products (GDP) through agriculture, education, electrification, transportation and infrastructure projects, such as building and renovation  of schools, healthcare centers, town halls, and many more.

 He urged benefitted communities to make judicious use of the grants and subventions for the benefits of the people, adding that the present government would not relent in its commitment to good governance and providing dividends of democracy for the people.

Earlier in his address, Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Abayomi Hunye noted that the N159m grants would be shared among 411 Area  Community Development Committee (CDCs), 20 Zonal CDCs and three Senatorial CDCs as Grant-in-Aid and Subventions to worthy self-help projects carried out by Community Development Associations.

Hunye added that over 14,000 CDAs across the State had committed N10m to the provision of facilities such as schools, roads, primary health centers, boreholes, among others, lauding the Governor for his unprecedented support to them.

On his part, the Acting Chairman, Ogun State Community Development Council (OGSCDC) Caretaker Committee, Akogun Lucien Taiwo, described Prince Abiodun as a community-friendly and transformative Governor, whose commitment to development was the architect of the day's celebration, saying “as the Association's motto depicts, ‘self-help, best help, surest help', no government, no matter how resourceful or benevolent can meet all the yearnings of its citizenry except through worthy and quality community collaboration”.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman, Afisuru and Everlasting Area CDC, Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government, Hon. Adewole Adenuga said the grants would be used judiciously to complete ongoing projects embarked on by communities, appreciating the Governor for his magnanimity.