Amid economic hardship across Nigeria due to the removal of petrol subsidies, the National Executive Council (NEC), on Thursday, July 20, agreed on palliative measures for citizens.

The meeting was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by governors of the 36 states of the Federation, the Director General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, stakeholders from the World Bank and other federal agencies.

NEC urged governors to reduce the cost of governance in their various spheres.

A six-month cash award policy for public servants was also initiated.

Food items, grains and fertilisers are to be distributed by state governments at the rate acquired from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and states are urged to double down on energy transition plans in the transportation sector.

Recall that the council dumped the national social register under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, claiming it lacks credibility.

In place of the register, NEC proposed implementing a cash transfer programme for states based on their social records and a cash reward policy for public servants for six months.