Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara has approved a slew of multi-billion naira palliatives to different sectors and demographics of the state to cushion the effects of the recent removal of fuel subsidy.

Rafiu Ajakaye, the chief press secretary to Mr Abdulrazaq, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the development in Ilorin.

Mr Ajakaye said that on top of the palliatives is cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which begins in July ending and lasts until a new minimum wage is introduced.

“This will enable workers to cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal,” he said.

He said the governor directed the civil service to maintain three-day work weekly, following the advisory by the National Economic Council for states to design their responses to the development.

The state government introduced the three-day work schedule after President Bola Tinubu declared that the subsidy era had ended.

“The staggered work plan will not cover essential workers,” the governor’s spokesman clarified.

According to him, the governor has similarly approved the payment, effective this July, of new hazard and skipping allowances and 100 per cent CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll.

He also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government.

Mr Ajakaye added that the governor had endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers.

“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,” he stated.

The governor has also approved the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate N500 million worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs.

“The state government will receive fertilisers and grains from the federal government and pay for the same. It is not free.”

 (NAN)