25th July, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has rolled out N10,000 palliative and others measures for public servants to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
The governor, in a statement, said in line with the current realities in the country and commitment of his administration to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, his government has approved a 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.
He also approved hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the State, as well as approve peculiar allowance for public servants in the State.
Abiodun also ordered the immediate release of letters of promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022, as well as the payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the State.
The governor further ordered immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners, adding that all 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.
Abiodun added that his government would begin distribution of food palliatives to the vulnerable, saying that 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.
“Also, fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.
“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.
“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,” he stated.