Economy Blues: Ogun Governor announces N5bn palliatives for residents

*Governor DapoAbiodun of Ogun State approves food palliatives for about 300,000 ‘vulnerable households’ across the three Senatorial Districts of the state, and offset of outstanding deductions to state workers to the tune of N500 million monthly, among other palliatives

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Governor (Prince) Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has announced a N5 billion palliatives in all sectors of the state economy to cushion the effects of the current socio-economic -hardship being experienced by residents of the state and others across Nigeria.

ConsumerConnect reports Governor disclosed the development Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at a media briefing in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Abiodun also approved food palliatives for about 300,000 vulnerable households across the three Senatorial districts of the state, and offset of outstanding deductions to state workers to the tune of N500million monthly.

The governor as well announced N50,000 support for about 27,000 Ogun State students in tertiary institutions across the country, insurance package for 70,000 residents and pregnant women, among other palliatives.

He as well said: “As our administration acknowledges the concerns raised by many of our citizens regarding the rising food prices and shortages, coupled with the depreciation of the Naira, we identify with you and are taking proactive measures to alleviate the impact of these challenges to guarantee the welfare, well-being and wellness of our citizens in this difficult time.

“In this direction and through targeted interventions, we aim to address these challenges by implementing a series of phased initiatives aimed at alleviating these burdens on all our citizens.”

The governor further explained: “The state has taken the following steps: Education Sector: Providing a minimum of 5 exercise books for all 850,000 students in our public primary and secondary schools.

“We are providing a one-time N10,000 education support grant for at least 100,000 pupils in our public primary and secondary schools in the state.”

He stated: “Providing all 27,600 indigent students in tertiary institutions nationwide with an education grant of N50,000 each.”

Abiodun assured the Ogun State residents that his administration would provide insurance health cover for over 70,000 beneficiaries to include pregnant women, children, the elderly, market women and other members of the informal sector while pregnant women, under the Ibidero Scheme would be providing free pre-natal care, additional N5,000 per birth and free post-natal care in the State Hospitals and Primary Health Care Centres across the State.

“The State Government will commence to offset the backlog of inherited deductions.

“To this end, we are immediately committing N500 million monthly payment towards outstanding deductions.

“It is noteworthy that we have continues to pay N10,000 transport allowance to all civil servants for the last 8 months,” said he.

Abiodun noted “this brings our total immediate interventions as a responsible State Government to about N5 billion across all sectors of the State economy.”

The governor added: “Let me assure you that the present economic situation is just a transient phase that will soon pass. “Whatever we experience now are just necessary sacrifices that we have to make towards ensuring a greater tomorrow.”

It is recalled as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidy May 29, 2023, inauguration day in Abuja, FCT, the cost of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, increased from about N184 to over N700 in the economy.

The situation has since triggered market reactions, particularly with the increasing inflationary trend and high prices of consumer products, other commodities and services across Nigeria.

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