The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced N5bn palliatives in all sectors of the state economy to cushion the effects of the current socio-economic -hardship being experienced by residents of the state and in the country.
At a press event in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday, the governor also approved food palliatives for about 300,000 disadvantaged households throughout the state’s three Senatorial districts, as well as the offset of unpaid deductions to state workers totaling N500 million per month.
The governor also announced N50,000 in support for around 27,000 Ogun State students enrolled in tertiary institutions across the country, as well as an insurance package for 70,000 citizens and pregnant women, among other benefits.
With the removal of petrol subsidy last May by President Bola Tinubu, the cost of a litre of Premium Motor Spirit jumped from N184 to over N600. The attendant effect of the situation also include rising inflation and unprecedented increase in the prices of commodities.
The high cost of living in the country has sparked protests in states, even as the Federal Government and state governments continue to assure the people that they are committed to their welfare.
Abiodun, on Wednesday, said, “As our administration acknowledges the concerns raised by many of our citizens regarding the rising food prices and shortages, coupled with the depreciation of the Naira, we identify with you and are taking proactive measures to alleviate the impact of these challenges to guarantee the welfare, well-being and wellness of our citizens in this difficult time.
“In this direction and through targeted interventions, we aim to address these challenges by implementing a series of phased initiatives aimed at alleviating these burdens on all our citizens.
“The state has taken the following steps: Education Sector: Providing a minimum of 5 exercise books for all 850,000 students in our public primary and secondary schools.
“We are providing a one-time N10,000 education support grant for at least 100,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools in the state. Providing all 27,600 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide with an education grant of N50,000 each.”
He said his administration would provide insurance health cover for over 70,000 beneficiaries to include pregnant women, children, the elderly, market women and other members of the informal sector while pregnant women, under the Ibidero Scheme would be providing free pre-natal care, an additional N5,000 per birth and free post-natal care in the State Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centers across the State.
“The State Government will commence to offset the backlog of inherited deductions. To this end, we are immediately committing N500 million monthly payment towards outstanding deductions. It is noteworthy that we have continues to pay N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the last 8 months.
“This brings our total immediate interventions as a responsible State Government to about N5 billion across all sectors of the State economy,” the governor submitted.
He noted that his administration would not be insensitive to the challenges being faced by the citizens, appreciating the people for their perseverance, patience and understanding.“Let me assure you that the present economic situation is just a transient phase that will soon pass. Whatever we experience now are just necessary sacrifices that we have to make towards ensuring a greater tomorrow,” he said.