Governor Seyi Makinde says his administration is doing its best to mitigate the hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal on residents of Oyo State.

Mr Makinde said this on Thursday in Iseyin during the inauguration of the newly renovated multi-billion naira Iseyin Central Mosque.

The governor noted that Nigerians were witnessing a difficult period in the nation’s history and that his administration had been doing much to alleviate the hardship.

He said the Oyo government was the first to announce and implement measures to reduce hardship through the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SafER) programme.

“We have been paying wage awards: N25,000 for workers and N15,000 for pensioners, and we have paid for close to six months.

“Only last week, I announced an extension of the wage award for another six months so we can have the time to conclude the discussion on minimum wage.

“Though there is much to be done, we will continue to do everything within our power to support our people during this hard time,” the governor said.

Mr Makinde commended the facilitator of the mosque renovation, Ahmed Raji, and hailed the religious harmony in the state.

He said the presence of representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the event was a positive testimony of religious harmony in the state.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, a special guest, appreciated Mr Makinde for attending the event.

Mr Abubakar commended the Oyo governor for being passionate about the welfare of his people and concluded that the governor was on the right track.

(NAN)