Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, alongside Ayuba Suleiman, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other members of the palliative committee, conducted a joint media briefing to introduce an all-encompassing palliative support program. The initiative aims to alleviate the challenges triggered by the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Sani unveiled that a N2 billion palliative fund, disbursed by the Federal Government to the state, will benefit a total of 210,000 indigent households, equating to 1,050,000 vulnerable individuals.
Outlined in three distinct phases, the palliative intervention endeavors to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on the populace. The first phase will involve distributing food items to impoverished and vulnerable households.
Moving forward, the second and third phases encompass plans to address transportation difficulties by procuring free buses, extend support to farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises by providing fertilizers and incentives to enhance their businesses.
Governor Sani underlined that the subsequent two phases of the palliative program will encompass transportation provisions and assistance to smallholder farmers, along with micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises. He emphasized the revival of train services across Kaduna State’s three senatorial districts as a crucial measure to alleviate citizens’ hardships.
The governor affirmed the state’s commitment to executing the measures delineated across the three phases, guaranteeing a seamless, transparent, and equitable process during the palliative distribution.
In the pursuit of effective implementation, a joint committee was established, with Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe at its helm. The committee consists of representatives from Organized Labour, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, market unions, and individuals living with disabilities.
The state government has endorsed the committee’s recommendations to ensure a transparent and efficient implementation of the palliative measures. This comprehensive support program seeks to provide substantial relief to the affected populace amidst the economic adjustments arising from the petrol subsidy removal.
