By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
ABEOKUTA: The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) Minority Leader has explained why he sponsored a motion urging the State Government to exempt teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, emergency service personnel, and essential workers from paying toll fees at the Ijebu-Ode/Mojoda/Epe road during official working hours.
The Assembly resolution, sponsored by the Minority Leader and representative of Odogbolu State Constituency, Hon. Lukman Adeleye, received overwhelming support from lawmakers, who emphasized the financial relief it would provide to critical workers living in Imagbon, Imaka, Idiru, Itamakapo, and Odonoko.
During the plenary session, Hon. Adeleye explained that the proposed exemption period for teachers would be from 6 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, while health workers would be exempted from Sunday to Saturday.
According to him, he sponsored the motion ” to recognize the critical role played by teachers and health workers in maintaining public health, safety, and welfare.
“The motion urges the state office of Public-Private Partnerships to include teachers and health workers in the list of exempted individuals and it also proposes inviting the Director-General of the Public-Private Partnership Office to interface with the house for better understanding of the request.
Hon. Adeleye explained that the measure was necessary to encourage efficient service delivery, especially within rural communities.
He stated, “These essential workers dedicate their time and skills to public welfare. Exempting them from toll fees will not only ease their financial burden but also ensure that they remain committed to serving our communities without unnecessary obstacles.”
Other lawmakers agreed that healthcare workers should be exempted from toll payments throughout the week, including weekends, given their round-the-clock service to the society.
This development is a welcome move for teachers and health workers who have been shouldering the financial burden of toll charges, impacting their ability to continue performing their vital services.
