As parts of the measures to ameliorate the adverse effects of the fuel subsidy removal directed by the federal government, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has released the list of suggested palliatives his government would be embarking on.
However, the list has drawn diverse reactions from the public. While some applauded it, majority found faults in some of the measures ranging from distrust of the government or impracticability of the some items mentioned.
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It was also pointed out that the informal sector and entrepreneurs were not taken into consideration.
Akintunde Akorede appealed to the governor that a poor woman selling corn or cab driver needed palliatives too.
“Thank you sir, but there is nothing for the poor woman selling Agbado or the poor taxi driver. I think informal labor sectors and self employed citizens also need palliative. Thank you sir,” he wrote.
A Peter Ademu-Eteh responded, “Food prices will be controlled and kept at pre-subsidy-removal prices. Food items will also be distributed. Sounds like a good plan, right?”
Ademu-Eteh was attacked for posting a comment believed to be elitist.
“So food stuffs are not transported with fuel. Make your governor grow his own crops n sell at pre subsidy price. Cost of production is high because the cost of fuel is. Everything revolves around pms,” Hilda Heroine wrote.
“What is the good plan there????” @Dammy_Mufc questioned.
Kelly Austin wrote,”I suppose our dear governor will grow his own food and sell at “pre-subsidy-removal price””
“Please Sir, the immediate release of grains and farm input to farmers should be distributed across the Ogun agro service centers and other accredited agro allied vendors. We don’t want it hijacked or given to APC leaders as palliative to party members. Ire ooooooo,” Obajimi Olalekan wrote.
“The best palliative for us is to complete the Abule-Agbado-Ajuwon-Berger road as we are really waiting for your intervention cos the roads are not plyeable. We pay 100 naira on 3 spots using the inner roads which is killing in terms of stress, time, finances and ware/tear. Thanks,” Olalekan said.
Olubunmi Ayantunji wrote, “The funny thing about governance in Nigeria is that a Governor can be owing pensioners and have infrastructural deficits all around,but he can wake up one day and issue proclamations like this that will be ineffective ab- initio.”
@eretan_esther: Please aren’t you going to do anything to those that haven’t gotten their C of O even after paying years ago? My dad has paid all dues for years now and ogun state has refused to give him his C of O.
One Ademola Olotu suggested an alternative that he believed would have major impact in the lives of the people of Ogun State.
“To ameliorate their suffering sir, why not consider massive investment in tourism. With Olumo rock and notable sites and distinguished scholars and individuals, I can assure you that if well harnessed it will boost employment and create wealth for all,” he wrote.
Follow the conversation here.
In line with the current realities in the country and commitment of our administration to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, we have approved the following measures for immediate implementation:
1. Cash… pic.twitter.com/xlsn85vp9S
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR, CON (@dabiodunMFR) July 24, 2023
Read the full release below.
In line with the current realities in the country and commitment of our administration to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of the good people of Ogun State, we have approved the following measures for immediate implementation:
1. 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.
2. Approval of hazard allowance for all health and medical personnel in the State.
3. Approval of peculiar allowance for public servants in the State.
4. Immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022.
5. Payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the State.
6. Immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners.
7. All our 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.
8. Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable (rice, garri, beans, maize etc).
9. Furthermore, 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.
10. Also, fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.
11. 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.
12. 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.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
