The Delta State Government described on Monday the process it will use to provide palliatives to its residents in order to mitigate the consequences of the Federal Government\’s elimination of fuel subsidies.
At a news conference in Asaba, Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government and Chairman, State Subsidy Palliative Committee, described the process.
According to him, the state would implement a distribution plan that will allocate 40% to the 500 DSIEC Wards within the state and set aside 10% to support urban wards.
He said that 25 percent would be given to those who would be most negatively impacted, including widows and people with disabilities (PWDs), 20 percent would go to vulnerable and low-income households, and 5 percent would be set aside for local government areas (LGAs) to serve as a safety net.
The SSG stated that 696 50kg bags of rice would be handed to each local authority along with corn to the state\’s poultry producers.
He claimed that the Federal Government, which had given the states a loan that was repayable in 20 months, had made it possible for the food items to be dispersed throughout the state.
Emu stated: \”As a state, we have started the long-awaited process of distributing palliatives by beginning to pay workers\’ N5.522 billion in unpaid promotion arrears in August.
\”Since August, we have also started paying N10,000 to over 50,196 employees, and we have hired 2,000 teachers and other staff for elementary schools across the state.
\”Governor Oborevwori also approved the implementation of a three-working-day rotating schedule for civil servants in Salary Grade Levels 1 through 14, while staff in SGL 15 and above are to work out what is convenient for them in their respective MDAs while ensuring the continuity of essential services.\”
The SSG further said that the state government guaranteed N40bn pensions payment for local government workers and retired primary school teachers with payment commencing in September.
\”We also working on purchasing tricycles (Keke) bi-fuel engine (petrol and gas) to be distributed across the three senatorial districts.
\”Finally we are also in discussion with several organisations to provide CNG and EV powered inter and intra city commuter buses through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option.\”
Dr Emu called on journalists and well meaning individuals to help monitor the distribution process to ensure it gets to the targeted recipients.
He however assured that with the measures taken by the State Government in the selection of the palliative distribution Committee at various levels, the process of distribution would be seamless across the state.
He said the Local Government Monitoring Team would consist of a non-patisan and trusted leader as Chairman with representation from traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of NULGE, women and youth.
He explained that the Ward Committees is made up of a non-partisan and trusted leader as Chairman, representative of the traditional ruler, President-General or representatives of the communities or quarters and a credible NGO representative.
PRESSS UNIT,
GOVT.HOUSE, ASABA
