As part of measures to ease the current hardship in the country, following the removal of the petrol subsidy, the Kwara state government and its counterpart in Ogun state have both approved the payment of N10,000 as palliatives to its public servants in their respective states.
This was disclosed in separate statements issued on Monday, where both governments said the measures are to take immediate implementation.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State listed 12 measures his administration plans to implement to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal in a tweet on Monday.
The initiatives include the distribution of Letters of Promotion for the years 2021 and 2022, as well as the approval of allowances for public employees in his state.
Mr Abiodun further recommended that all MDAs devise plans to ensure that 20 per cent of their staff size is off-duty every day in order to mitigate the impact of the recent spike in gasoline prices on public servants.
He also ordered the distribution of food palliatives to the vulnerable that includes (rice, garri, beans, maize etc).
His words:
“In line with the current realities in the country and the commitment of our administration to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, we have approved the following measures for immediate implementation:
1. Cash palliative of N10,000 for each public servant including pensioners to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy for 3 months in the first instance with effect from July 2023.
2. Approval of hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the State.
3. Approval of peculiar allowance for public servants in the State.
4. Immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022.
5. Payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the State.
6. Immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.
7. All our Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to work out modalities of ensuring that 20% of their staff strengths are off-duty daily to ease the effect of the recent increase in fuel price among public servants.
8. Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable (rice, garri, beans, maize etc).
9. Furthermore, Gateway Trading Company has been directed to ensure the establishment of distribution outlets across the state, while items must be sold at the rate obtainable before the fuel price increase.
10. Also, fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.
11. Other measures include the commencement of conversion of State Mass Transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce the cost of transportation by charging rates comparable to what was obtained before deregulation.
12. Immediate Road Infrastructure Intervention, with all the local governments working with Community Development Associations and Community Leaders to submit three roads that require immediate intervention as part of the palliative programmes and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through Special Schemes to boost production capacity and employment generation.
His counterpart, governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state also approved the commencement of a palliative of N10,000 to support public servants in the state.
“I have similarly approved the payment of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100 per cent CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under our government’s payroll,” he said.
Mr Abdulrazaq further stated that he has approved the extension of free bus rides for tertiary students as well as the continuance of the three-day work schedule.
He also stated that he will form a committee to consult with marketers on the need to combat extortionist tendencies such as the arbitrary fixing of food prices. Everyone suffers as a result of this practice.
President Bola Tinubu in his inaugural address on May 29, removed the Petrol subsidy by almost 200 per cent, from about N200 to over N500.
But many Nigerians have since reacted to the development of the governor’s interventions, with many giving varied opinions.
On Twitter, @Tenasam said “Good intent, short of expectations!
@Akynz007 on twitter said, “Na 10k all of una agreed on.
@esterokomkwo said “Is that for eba, Agbado or ewa?
And @Amaslincoln said, “N10k as cash palliative to Civil/Public Servants in Kwara State is a huge insult to the hardworking people in the face of hyperinflation in the Country. It’s absolutely nonsensical in my opinion.
“This is the big problem in Nigeria. Who will pay those who are not employed by government? Bad leadership and dysfunctional systemic architecture will grind this country to a halt,” @elijahsunny1 said.
