Fuel: Kwara Gov Announces Palliatives for Workers, Allowances for Nurses, Doctors
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Fuel: Kwara Gov Announces Palliatives for Workers, Allowances for Nurses, Doctors
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has taken significant steps to counter the impact of the recent removal of fuel subsidy by approving multibillion naira palliatives across various sectors and demographics in the state.
During a press briefing at Government House in Ilorin, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, announced that the Governor has sanctioned a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, starting from July and lasting until a new minimum wage is implemented.
This measure, he said, aims to help workers cope with the economic challenges arising from the subsidy removal.
In alignment with the National Economic Council’s new advisory for states to design independent responses to this development, the Governor has directed the leadership of the civil service to implement a staggered work schedule, limiting workdays to a maximum of three days per week. This move is intended to reduce transportation expenses for workers.
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He added that essential workers will not be included in the staggered work plan.
The Governor had also approved from July, new hazard and skipping allowances, along with 100% CONMESS, will be paid to consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll.
Additionally, a new regime of allowances for state government nurses has been endorsed.
In response to demands from Teaching Service Commission workers, the Governor has also granted immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotions, adding that the 2021 promotion exercise for teaching and non-teaching staff of SUBEB will receive cash-backing, and steps will be restored for all of them.
“In the same vein, he has approved cash-backing for 2021 promotion exercise of teaching and non-teaching staff of SUBEB and restoration of steps to all of them.
“The Governor also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state, while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households are to be activated in the next few days.
“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 Governor has also approved for the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate a N500m worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state.
“The government, meanwhile, 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.
