In line with the new advisory of the National Economic Council (NEC) for states to design their own independent responses to neutralise the effects of recent removal of fuel subsidy, I have approved multibillion naira palliatives cutting across different sectors and demographies of Kwara State.
On top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal.
I have similarly approved the payment of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under our government’s payroll. Nurses working for the state government will also enjoy a new regime of allowances. The essence is to check attrition rate in the health sector, and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state.
In the next few days, modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households would be activated. This shall be nonpartisan, and would be coordinated by a government team to be supported by respected stakeholders who would get inputs from traditional rulers, religious bodies, market leaders, trade unionists, and community based organisations to generate the lists of beneficiaries and disburse accordingly.
The Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) will also activate a N500m worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state. To boost farming outputs and food security in the state, our government will pay to receive fertilisers and grains from the Federal Government. Modalities for the handling of these will be made available later.
I have also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state and directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers.
The whole idea of these interventions is to show empathy and deploy as much resources as the state can afford to support the people at this special time.
Meanwhile, our government will be setting up a committee to interface with marketers on the need to curb extortionist tendencies as seen in arbitrary fixing of prices of food stuffs. This practice imposes hardship on everyone.
I identify with His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong commitments to sustainable economic reforms and well-being of the Nigerian people. I believe that the current discomforts are just like the pains that precede the joyful birth of a child.
