Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved a cash support of N10,000 for public sector workers in the state to neutralise the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, who made this known while briefing newsmen on the development in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Monday, July 24, 2023, said the cash support would commence by July ending and last until a new minimum wage is introduced.

Ajakaye said: “This will enable workers to cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal.

“In deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development.

“The governor has directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule, not exceeding three days a week to reduce transportation expenses for workers.

“Kwara had earlier introduced a three-day work schedule for its civil servants but suspended it in deference to an earlier advisory of the NEC for states to await a more holistic response to the development.

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“The staggered work plan will not cover essential workers.”

He stated that the governor has also approved the payment, effective from this month, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100 per cent CONMESS for consultants, and medical doctors under the government’s payroll.

Ajakaye said Governor AbdulRazaq also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government, adding that the whole essence is to check attrition rate in the health sector and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state.

Ajakaye said the governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotions for Teaching Service Commission workers.

He stated: “The governor also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state, while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households are to be activated in the next few days.

“The governor has also approved the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate a N500 million worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state.

“The state government will receive fertilisers and grains from the Federal Government and pay for same. It is not free.

“Modalities for the handling of these will be made available later. This is to boost farming outputs and food security in the state.

“The government, meanwhile, will be setting up a committee to interface with marketers on the need to curb extortionist tendencies as seen in arbitrary fixing of prices of foodstuffs.

“This practice imposes hardship on everyone. The government will be willing to collaborate with the patriotic market leaders on how to tackle this challenge.”

The Star