Ekiti state government on Wednesday rolled out a series of palliative measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal to categories of citizens in the state.
The commissioner for finance and chairman state palliatives committee, Akin Oyebode, who spoke while briefing journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, revealed that the governor, Biodun Oyebanji approved payment of N5,000 for the next five months starting from August to 10,000 vulnerable households in the state.
Reeling out the measures, Oyebode also said that mass transit buses would be procured for the free transportation of students and civil service in line with engagement and resolutions with the organised labour in the state.
He added that distribution of food items to the aged and vulnerable would commence later in the month, while financial support for small business owners and artisans has also been approved.
According to the commissioner for finance, other palliatives measure were ” Payment of one year’s leave bonus for State and Local Government workers. Payment of one month’s pension arrears for State and Local Government pensioners.
” Implementation of consequential adjustment for workers on GL. 14 to GL. 17 for State and Local Government workers. Implementation of 90% CONHESS and 100% Hazard Allowance for health workers at the Local Governments.
” Implementation of salary parity for clinical staff of the Hospitals’ Management Board. Implementation of financial benefits of 2020 and 2021 promotions for State and Local Government workers.
” Immediate payment of one-month subvention arrears to a tertiary institution. Provision of free shuttle buses for workers and students to ease transportation to/from work and school respectively.”
Oyebode, however, said, “Let me reiterate that our commitment to the people of Ekiti State is simple; the increased revenues from the removal of fuel subsidy will lead to better service delivery from our Government. Mr. Governor remains irrevocably committed to his vision of “Shared Prosperity,” which is being driven by the Government’s six-point agenda, and under his leadership, we will continue to advance our journey towards prosperity.”
Meanwhile, the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) in the state has appreciated the Governor over the approval of a 90% Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS and 100% Hazard Allowance for health workers at the local government level as part of efforts to cushion the removal of fuel subsidy.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, JOHESU Chairman Comrade Femi Ajoloko said members of the union were extremely excited by the news, saying it has been a long-time dream and desire of the workers.
Ajoloko, who is also the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council and Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MAHWUN, Ekiti State Council, also showered encomium on the Governor for other palliative measures announced, which include implementation of consequential adjustment of minimum wage for level 14 to 17 from next salary payment, payment of 2017 leave bonus payment and payment of 2018 arrears for subvented institutions.
Ajoloko said, ” It has been jubilation galore among my people, we have long agitated for the consolidated salary structure, but successive governments ignored us. We are so glad that Governor Oyebanji, out of his magnanimity, attended to our long-time demand, we can’t thank him enough, we are indeed indebted to him ditto all other categories of workers benefitting from the various palliative gestures.