In line with the current realities in the country and to ameliorate the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on the well-being of good people, the  Ogun State Government has reeled out the palliative for the people of the state.

This is contained in a release issued and signed by Secretary to Government of Ogun State, Mr Tokunbo Talabi stating that the  administration of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the following measures for immediate implementation of Cash palliative of #10,000 for each Public Servant including Pensioners to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks occasioned by the removal of Fuel Subsidy for a period of 3months in the first instance with effect from July, 2023.

Talabi in the release also noted that the Governor has approved Hazard Allowance for all Health and Medical Personnel in the State as well as Peculiar Allowance for Public Servants in the State.

According to the release other measures to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal include immediate release of Letters of Promotion in respect of 2021 and 2022; Payment of March and April, 2023 Leave Bonuses for Public Servants in the State; Immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners; the Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to work out modalities of ensuring that 20% of their staff strengths are off-duty daily to ease the effect of recent increase in fuel price among Public Servants; Commencement of food palliatives to the vulnerable including Rice, Garri, Beans, Maize among others

Talabi also noted that the Gateway Trading Company has been mandated to establish food distribution outlets across the State, and must sell the items at the rate obtainable in the market before removal of fuel subsidy while the State is also establishing a commodity exchange to ensure optimization of current and future investment in the Agro-allied sector of the economy in line with President Tinubu’s war on food insecurity, distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers at subsidized and control prices, Full implementation of the administration’s Energy Transition Strategy with the launch of Electric Motorbikes and Tricycles all over the State as well as commencement of conversion of State Mass Transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce cost of transportation by charging rates comparable to what obtained before deregulation. The first set are in the final stages and will be introduced to our roads in a matter of days.

The SSG in the release adds that government will also be acquiring additional new CNG Buses to ease transportation in the State charging fares comparable to what obtained before the fuel subsidy removal with immediate Road Infrastructure Intervention while all Local Governments will work with Community Development Associations and Community Leaders to submit 3 roads that require immediate intervention as part of the palliative programmes just as the State Government will support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through Special Schemes to boost production capacity and employment generation.