Abeokuta – Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has approved cash palliative of N10,000 for each state civil servant and pensioners to enable them to cope with the negative impacts of subsidy removals.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi who announced this in a statement in Abeokuta on Monday said the payment of the cash palliative will be in place for three months with effect from July, 2023.
He said the measure was to mitigate the economic shocks occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy on workers and pensioners.
Talabi said the governor also gave approval for the payment of hazard allowance for all doctors, nurses and other categories of health and medical personnel in the State.
Aside these, Abiodun approved payment of peculiar allowance for all civil servants and ordered immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022.
Others palliative measures approved by the governor are ; “Payment of March and April, 2023 Leave Bonuses for Public Servants in the State.
” Immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.
“The 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 recent increase in fuel price among Public Servants.
“Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable (Rice, Garri, Beans, Maize etc).
“Also, the Gateway Trading Company has been mandated to establish food distribution outlets across the State, and must sell the items at the rate obtainable in the market before removal of fuel subsidy.
“The State is also establishing a commodity exchange to ensure optimization of current and future investment in the Agro-allied sector of the economy in line with President Tinubu’s war on food insecurity.
“Distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers at subsidized and control prices.
“Full implementation of the administration’s Energy Transition Strategy with • the launch of Electric Motorbikes and Tricycles all over the State.• Commencement of conversion of State Mass Transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce cost of transportation by charging rates comparable to what obtained before deregulation.
“The first set are in the final stages and will be introduced to our roads in a matter of days.• The Government will also be acquiring additional new CNG Buses to ease transportation in the State charging fares comparable to what obtained before the fuel subsidy removal.
“Immediate Road Infrastructure Intervention: All Local Governments working with Community Development Associations and Community Leaders are to submit 3 roads that require immediate intervention as part of the palliative programmes.
“State Government to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through Special Schemes to boost production capacity and employment generation,” Talabi explained.
He stated that the palliative measures are in line with the current realities in the country.
Talabi said it also underscored the commitment of Ogun State Government to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of good people of Ogun State.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
