In a bid to alleviate the effects of subsidy removal on Ekiti citizens, the state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji has rolled out palliative measures in the state.
This was disclosed in a press statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner of Finance, Akintunde Oyebode.
Oyebode, while reiterating the commitment of the Governor to the welfare of the citizens stated that certain measures have been put in place to ease the economic situation in the State.
The statement reads, “As a result of our engagement with Organized Labour, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has now approved the immediate implementation of the following measures:
“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 tertiary institution.
“Provision of free shuttle buses for workers and students to ease transportation to/from work and school respectively” he said.
He further noted that “to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on vulnerable residents of the State, measures such as Payment of N5,000 as a conditional cash transfer to 10,000 households from August till December 2023, with emphasis on our aged people; inclusion of 10,000 persons in the Ulera Wa health insurance programme; a food distribution programme that will commence this month; the distribution of inputs to farmers as well as financial support to small businesses and our informal sector, have been put in place.”