Subsidy Removal: EKSG okays N5,000 cash transfer to 10,000 households, food distribution

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the transfer of N5,000 monthly to 10,000 poor and most vulnerable households from August to December 2023 with particular emphasis on the aged to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the citizens of the state. 

Governor Oyebanji also approved that 10,000 residents most especially the aged would be considered for free medical attention through the EKHIS programme (Ulera wa). 

Mr Oyebanji said the directive was inline with the recommendations of the committee set up to look into the various measures the government could take to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the citizens of the state.

Mr Oyebanji’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, who doubled as the chairman of the palliative committee, Mr Akintunde Oyebode disclosed this on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti.

The Commissioner said the palliative measures cover people in the formal and informal sectors as well as the elderly and indigent citizens.

He said the governor further approved the availability of mass transit buses as free shuttles for workers and students to and from their places of assignments and distribution of foodstuff to the poor and most vulnerable households.

“To cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation especially on workers and students, the Ekiti government would make available mass transit buses as free shuttles for workers and students to and from their places of assignments while foodstuff would also be distributed to the poor and most vulnerable households.

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According to Oyebode, some of the succour to be enjoyed by workers, tagged Ekiti State Subsidy Relief Programme include immediate payment of consequential adjustment of the minimum wage to officers on Grade levels 14-17; leave bonus of 2017 as well as the implementation and payment of 2020 and 2021 promotion arrears.

“Other approval of the Governor, according to the committee included the implementation of 90 percent CONHESS and 100 percent  Hazard allowance for local government Health Workers as well as salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals Management Board. 

Oyebode restated the commitment of Governor Oyebanji led government to the people of the state and assured them that the increased revenue which culminated from the removal of fuel subsidy would lead to improved service delivery from the government as the governor was irrevocably committed to his vision of shared prosperity driven by the six pillars of his administration.

“In response to this discomfort, Governor Oyebanji set up a committee to propose an urgent intervention that will soften the impact of these necessary decisions. The committee which I had the honour of chairing, met with various stakeholders, including representatives of organized labour to discuss possible interventions, within the limited resources available to us. We have now completed our assignment, and will now present the Ekiti State Subsidy Relief Programme to you.

“In addition to the already mentioned interventions, the Governor has also approved additional interventions designed to directly impact our poorest and most vulnerable residents to include a food distribution programme that will commence this month, distribution of inputs to farmers as well as financial support to small businesses and our informal sector.”