Subsidy: Ogun Govt approves palliatives

VAM News Update

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has approved N10,000 as a palliative for civil servants and pensioners every month to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

Abiodun also approved hazard allowance for health and medical personnel, just as he approved food palliative for the most vulnerable citizens.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tokunbo Talabi, on Monday, July 24, 2023.

Talabi stated: “In line with the current realities in the country and commitment of Ogun State Government to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, the administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the following measures for immediate implementation.

“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 three months in the first instance with effect from July 2023.

“Approval of hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the State.

“Approval of peculiar allowance for public servants in the State.

“Immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022.

“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 the recent increase in fuel price among public servants.

“Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable (rice, garri, beans, maize etc).”

The SSG noted that Gateway Trading Company has been directed to ensure the establishment of distribution outlets across Ogun State, while items must be sold at the rate obtainable before the fuel price increase.

He added: “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.

“Also, fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.”