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, convened a joint media briefing to introduce an extensive palliative support initiative. The program aims to alleviate the challenges caused by the abrupt removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Sani revealed that a substantial palliative fund of N2 billion, disbursed by the Federal Government to the state, would be utilized to benefit 210,000 indigent households, comprising 1,050,000 vulnerable individuals.
The palliative strategy will be executed in three distinct phases, starting with the distribution of essential food items to impoverished and susceptible households. Subsequent phases will involve procuring free buses to alleviate transportation difficulties and providing support to farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises through the provision of fertilizers and business incentives.
Governor Sani emphasized that the two remaining phases of the palliative intervention will focus on addressing transportation challenges and aiding smallholder farmers, micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises. He particularly highlighted the revival of train services across Kaduna State’s three senatorial districts as a crucial measure to alleviate the populace’s hardships.
The governor underscored the State Government’s dedication to executing the palliative measures outlined across the three phases. He assured that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure the process is seamless, transparent, and fair.
In a bid to oversee the successful implementation of the palliative support program, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, has been appointed as the head of a joint committee. This committee comprises representatives from various sectors, including Organized Labour, civil society organizations, faith-based groups, market unions, and individuals with disabilities.
The state government has welcomed the committee’s recommendations, aiming to guarantee the transparency and effectiveness of the palliative initiatives. This multi-faceted approach signifies Kaduna State’s commitment to mitigating the adverse effects of the petrol subsidy removal on its citizens.