In a comprehensive move to address the economic challenges confronting residents, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, has announced a N5 billion palliative package across various sectors.
During a press briefing in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday, the governor disclosed plans for food palliatives targeting 300,000 vulnerable households across the state’s three Senatorial districts.
Additionally, he approved the clearance of outstanding deductions totaling N500 million monthly for state workers and announced a N50,000 support scheme for 27,000 Ogun State students in tertiary institutions nationwide.
Furthermore, an insurance package for 70,000 residents and pregnant women was unveiled among other initiatives.
The announcement comes amidst rising inflation and the removal of petrol subsidy, which has significantly impacted living costs across Nigeria.
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.
Despite the ongoing protests, both the Federal Government and state administrations assure citizens of their commitment to 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.
