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Tag: Palliatives

  • DSS arrests officials for diverting palliatives

    DSS arrests officials for diverting palliatives

    The Department of State Services (DSS) said it has arrested some officials of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices over alleged palliatives diversion.

    The Public Relations Officer of DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Afunanya said that the service had received complaints from some states relating to diversion and sale of palliatives meant for their citizens

    “Consequently, the Service undertook investigations in that regard and has recovered some of the items as well as apprehended the suspects.

    “While this operation is ongoing in other states, the Service has for instance, intercepted a suspected criminal syndicate in Nasarawa State responsible for the diversion and sale of the palliative.

    “Among those suspects are officials of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA) and their accomplices in the markets, notably Modern Market Lafia, where the items were being resold,” he said.

    The DSS spokesman said the suspects had been handed over for appropriate disciplinary measures.

    He urged members of the public with information relating to palliatives diversion to report to relevant security agencies for necessary action.

  • Delta Exco approves N10 billion for palliatives

    Delta Exco approves N10 billion for palliatives

    The Delta State Executive Council has approved the sum of N10 billion as Social Investment to fund palliatives for Deltans.

    This was part of decisions reached at the maiden State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday at Exco Chambers, Government House, Asaba.

    Briefing Journalists at the end of the meeting, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, said the Governor would forward it to the State House of Assembly for approval for the provision of palliatives for the less privileged, people living with disabilities, widows, women, youths and the aged in the society.

    He said Exco gave approval for the construction of several roads in furtherance of the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Governor Oborevwori’s administration, adding that every Senatorial District was covered and the roads were critical to the uplifting of the economic status of the people.

    “In furtherance of the M.O.R.E Agenda of this administration, the State Executive Council approved the reconstruction of Upper and Lower Erejuwa Roads in Warri, Rehabilitation of Esisi Road from Warri Sapele Road to Estate roundabout with a spur to Nana College to link Ajamimogha in Warri.

    “Rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of of the failed sections of PTI Road in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area; rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Oviri Court-Adagbrasa Road in Okpe Local Government Area.

    “Rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Ohorhe-Adagbrasa-Ugolo-Okuodiete road with a spur from Adagbrasa to Ughwagba community to Okan junction along the Eku-Osubi-Effurun Road in Okpe Local Government Area.

    “Construction of roads around Otovwodo junction in Ughelli North Local Government Area; Construction of Nsukwa-Umute-Adonte Road Phase 1 from Nsukwa to Umute in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

    “Remedial works for the failed approach to the bridge at Bedesegba along Ohoror-Bomadi Road in Bomadi Local Government Area.”

    Continuing, Izeze said: “Exco also granted approval for the installation of all-in-one LED solar powered street lights along NPA – DSC Expressway and its environs in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.

    “Exco also approved the payment of the 2023 counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Programme and for the organisation/hosting of the 7th Edition of the National Youth Games in the state”.

    According to him, Exco ratified the appointments of some traditional rulers including; the appointment of HRM Macaulay Popo Ovbagbedia, Uhurhie-Sadjere II as the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom.

    “HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo as the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South; HRM Ogheneochuko Morris Eyekpimi – Egbobonyen as the Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South and HRM Obi Emmanuel Chukwuka as Obi of Umute Kingdom in Aniocha South LGA.”

    On his part, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, said Exco also approved the sum of N167 billion as 2023 supplementary budget.

    He said Exco also granted approval for N40 billion credit facility offer to the 25 local government councils in the state to defray substantial part of outstanding retirement benefits to local government pensioners.

    Earlier in his welcome remark, Governor Oborevwori congratulated the Commissioners on their appointments and urged them to work assiduously in the interest of the growth and development of the state.

    He urged the Commissioners to avail themselves copies of their swearing-in ceremony address and his inauguration speech, adding that they both offer the pathway of the policy thrust of his administration.

    “For the administration to be successful it requires the collaborative efforts of everyone. I urge all members to work in synergy as the decisions of council is a collective decision of all members,” the governor said.

  • Subsidy removal: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe roll out palliatives

    Subsidy removal: Borno, Adamawa, Yobe roll out palliatives

    Borno, Adamawa and Yobe governments have embarked on measures to ameliorate the current hardship on citizens caused by the removal of petrol subsidy.

    The citizens of the three states worst affected by insurgency in North East have been experiencing hardship which many said is further worsened by the subsidy removal.

    In Borno and Yobe states, the distribution of palliatives to households has commenced in earnest, while in Adamawa,  the committee constituted for the exercise is still working on modalities.

    Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno said during the launch of the palliatives distribution at Maisandari Ward of Maiduguri that his administration would sustain the support to the less-privileged and communities affected by insurgency throughout his tenure.

    Zulum said that while the Federal Government palliatives would cater for 100,000 vulnerable households in the state, his administration would provide for additional 300,000 households to make a total of 400,000 households.

    He explained that ”Borno’s case is peculiar as some areas have been devastated by the insurgency and returnees are yet to have full access to their farmlands, hence the need to continue supporting them.”

    The Chairman of North East Civil Society Forum, Amb. Ahmed Shehu, lauded the early distribution of palliatives by the Borno Government, particularly the involvement of CSOs in the committee, and urged other states to emulate Borno.

    He said “I am urging other states to also involve Civil Society Organisations in the palliative committees for transparency and accountability.”

    In Yobe, the Deputy Governor who is the Chairman of the palliatives committee, Alhaji Idi Gubana, said distribution of palliatives has commenced, targeting 80,000 households in 17 local government areas of the state.

    Gubana, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Mr Hussaini Mai-Suleh, said the distribution had been launched in the three senatorial zones, with that of Zone A in Damaturu, Zone B in Fune, and Zone C in Jakusko.

    In Adamawa, the distribution of palliatives is yet to commence, but the state government had constituted a distribution committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Auwal Tukur.

    The committee was inaugurated on Wednesday by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaleptapwa Farauta, and members were tasked to ensure that the palliatives reached the intended persons.

    “Work out necessary modalities for the transportation of palliatives, both food and non-food items, from the source to the distribution points.

    “Monitor and liaise with relevant stakeholders or community agents and ensure equitable distribution of the palliatives to the intended beneficiaries,” Farauta tasked members of the committee.

    Some Internally Displace Persons (IDPs) at Damare camp in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa, urged the state goverment not to forget displaced persons in the exercise.

    Ladi Paul, the Women Leader in the camp, said that about 227 households were in serious need of food support in the camp.

    “I am appealing to government to come to our aid; we were affected by flood in 2022 and the removal of fuel subsidy has further compounded our situation in the camp”, she said.

    Some residents of Yola also lamented the delay in the distribution of the palliatives, adding that the recent looting of food items in government stores in the states by some youths should serve as a wake-up call.

  • Katsina govt confirms receipt of N2bn palliative from FG

    Katsina govt confirms receipt of N2bn palliative from FG

    The Katsina State Government on Wednesday confirmed receipt of N2 billion out of the N5 billion palliative approved to the states by the Federal Government.

    Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Home Affairs made the clarification while reacting to insinuation that the federal government released N5 billion to the state.

    He said that: “The attention of the state government has been drawn to news going round in the media that N5 billion has been released to states by the Federal Government for palliative.

    “I wish to state that, Katsina State Government received only N2 billion for procurement of grain to be distributed to the citizens of the state”.

    Salisu-Zango said the state government had so far utilised N2 billion to procure 40,000 bags of rice for distribution to vulnerable persons in all the polling units across the state.

    He said the government would also utilise the next tranch of the fund from the federal government to purchase maize for distribution to deserving households.

    He warned that the state government would punish anyone found wanting in the palliative distribution exercise.

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: Delta ALGON approves palliatives for LG workers

    Fuel Subsidy Removal: Delta ALGON approves palliatives for LG workers

    Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State Chapter, Barr. Victor Ebonka, on Tuesday, said workers in the 25 local government councils in the state would receive the same palliative packages approved for workers in the state public service by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Barr. Ebonka who doubles as the Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Council of the state, disclosed this in an interview with Journalists in Asaba.

    He said arrangements had been put in place to start implementing the palliative for local government council workers in the state with effect from this month (August) in line with the directive of the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    According to him, local government workers are to receive additional N10,000 per month for a period of three months to mitigate the effects of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government, adding that, like their counterparts at the state level, workers in various local government councils would also, run shifts.

    The ALGON boss stated that workers at the council level including the Local Education Authority (LEA) workers and the primary school teachers as well as their support staff, would all benefit from the palliative packages.

    “We have held the necessary stakeholders meeting and His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oboriwori has directed that ALGON, as a body, should ensure that the local government council chairmen implement the same palliative measures in their respective local government areas.

    “The workers salaries at the council level including the Local Education Authority (LEA) workers and the primary school teachers will all get N10,000 each for a period of three months.

    “The workers will also be placed under a work schedule (shifting) similar to that of the state workers to help reduce their burden of the fuel subsidy removal on them.

    “For the loan facility sort by ALGON for payment of local government pensioners, we have perfected all that is necessary. So, we are expecting that by this month (August) end, we will be able to access the funds and hopefully, by next month payment will commence,” he said.

    On teachers and non-teaching staff recruitment in primary schools in the state, Barr. Ebonka said the recruitment exercise was already on, adding that those qualified would soon be invited for interviews.

    “The teachers recruitment exercise is already on going and soon those qualified will be invited for interviews. I also need to let you know that the number of teachers to be recruited in each local government area is based on a need assessment,” he stated.

  • Subsidy Removal: FG vows to address minimum wage

    Subsidy Removal: FG vows to address minimum wage

    The Federal Government has expressed its willingness to address the new National Minimum Wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Mr Simon Lalong, the new Minister of Labour and Employment made the pledged during his assumption of office with the Minister of State for Labour and Employment on Monday in Abuja.

    Lalong said that this was imperative in order to boost the relationship with the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress(TUC).

    According to him, the government through the ministry shall work closely with the NLC, TUC and their affiliates towards not only ensuring that all pending industrial disputes are settled amicably.

    “But also addressing with strong determination the new minimum wage and other palliatives arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    “I use this opportunity to specially convey the appreciation of President Bola Tinubu to the organised labour and Nigerian workers in general for exercising tremendous understanding and patience with the current situation.

    “The government does not take this for granted and Mr President has directed that we move on with negotiations to arrive at amicable resolutions that will make our workers overcome the current pains,” he said.

    He said that Mr President had mandated them to handle the very important aspects of Labour and Employment that were critical to national development and prosperity.

    Lalong said that the task were certainly enormous but achievable, especially with the abundant human resources Nigeria was endowed with.

    The minister also said that under his stewardship, the Ministry of Labour and Employment would fulfill its mandate to ensure decent work for all Nigerians.

    According to him, this is making sure that our citizens particularly the youth and women get the opportunity to deploy their energy, creativity, talent and gifts to the development of the nation.

    “Our workers must get value for their labour and operate in safe and conducive environment. Because of the level of unemployment, underemployment, and challenges associated with the work environment.

    “We have been mandated by Mr President to ensure that Nigerians get decent employment and are adequately remunerated for their labour both in the public and private sectors.

    “We shall not spare any effort to protect the Nigerian worker and guarantee his dignity at all times,”he said.

    Lalong also said that this administration would therefore escalate the relations with the private sector, development partners, international agencies, NGOs among others.

    He said that this would ensure that unemployment and underemployment were reduced to the barest minimum according to the plan of the President Tinubu administration.

    He added that, overall, the ministry shall leverage on technology, skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, agriculture among others to open up more employment opportunities for all Nigerians.

    “This is in addition to current Safety Net Jobs and new ones that this government will initiate within the coming weeks and months,”he said.

    He however commended Mr President for the appointment while pledging to do all within his power to assist the President fulfill his Renewed Hope Agenda for a better Nigeria.

    He added that we therefore need your support and understanding to succeed.

    Also, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State Labour and Employment commended Mr President for the appointment.

    Onyejeocha urged all to join hands and support President Bola Tinubu administration in conducting the affairs of the country to ensure development and prosperity.

    “Our youths are on the streets and as a ministry, we must take them out of the streets, it is our mandate and we must make that change.

    “It is a call to service and we asked God to enable us achieve the purpose,” she said.

    Mrs Juliana Adebambo, Director, Productivity Measurement in the ministry and also the acting Permanent Secretary pledged support to their tenure.

    Adebambo while handing a brief of the ministry mandates and activities the ministers, said she was hopeful they would deliver on their mandate.

  • Fuel Subsidy Removal: Ekiti begins distribution of bags of rice to households

    Fuel Subsidy Removal: Ekiti begins distribution of bags of rice to households

    In its move to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, the Ekiti State Government has begun the distribution of 3, 000 bags of rice as palliatives to households.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Ekiti state, Ebenezer Boluwade made this known on Tuesday while briefing journalists in the state.

    Ebenezer Boluwade who also doubles as the chairman of the Palliative Distribution Committee, noted that five trucks of palliatives landed in the state on Monday.

    According to him: “As of last Friday, we received 3, 000 bags of rice from the Federal Government. During the offloading of the five trucks, 18 bags were found to be defective, meaning that the good ones were 2,992 bags.

    “We specially allocated 100 bags for widows, and 200 bags for all artisans in the private sector, while the transport union got 180 bags. All the market women in Ekiti State were allocated 100 bags. A special group got 150 bags, while people with disabilities got 140. The elderly, i.e., the pensioners, got 100 bags. The civil servants comprising the junior staff got 100 bags.”

    He added that the distribution, which will begin on Wednesday, will spread across the 177 political wards in the 16 local governments of the state.

    Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the distribution will be done in batches and will reach everyone, irrespective of political parties.

    He advised those who are yet to benefit from the first tranche of the distribution to exercise patience as the palliative would go round the state.

  • Subsidy removal: Ondo Govt. announces palliative measures for residents

    Subsidy removal: Ondo Govt. announces palliative measures for residents

    Ondo State Government on Thursday announced a comprehensive palliative package to alleviate the harsh effect of petrol subsidy removal.

    Mr Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for finance and Chairman, Palliative Strategy and Implementation Committee, announced the measures at a news conference in Akure.

    Akinterinwa said that the State Government would restore free shuttle buses for students, starting from their resumption in September to December 31.

    “Thereafter, affordable rates would be charged from Jan. 2024.

    “In like manner, free shuttle boats, equipped with life jackets for students in riverine areas, would be provided, starting at resumption in September to December 31.

    “Thereafter, affordable rates would be charged from January 2024.

    “We will immediately deploy all the existing buses in all the MDAs to serve as free shuttle buses to public servants until December 31.

    “Additional Compressed Natural Gas would be purchased to convey public servants to and from work at no cost to them, untill December 31,” he said.

    He also announced that unconditional cash transfer of N10,000 would be made to 1,000 vulnerable persons per local government in the 18 Local Government Areas, totalling 18,000 people.

    Akinterinwa further announced that all the state and local government pensioners would also receive N10,000 each from August to December.

    He said that one million households would be fed across the entire local government areas of the state.

    “Farm inputs at subsidised rates will be made available to farmers.

    “Our poultry and fish farmers will be given free drugs, maize and feeds.

    “In addition, training on local feed formulation and production will be given to interested poultry and fish farmers to help them look inwards.

    The commissioner said that the palliatives also included agrochemicals, seeds, drip lines, farm tools and power tillers.

    He said: “In riverine areas, fishing nets and kilns will be on offer.

    “To ease the movement of farm produce, tricycles will be given free to communities.

    “This will be supervised by officially recognised, community-based stakeholder groups.

    The State Government also announced the immediate suspension of hospital registration and consultation fees.

    “Government will reimburse the hospitals directly based on existing data,” the commissioner said.

    According to him, all the provisions are to complement Federal Government’s planned palliatives.

    He said that government also approved the immediate payment of 2020 leave bonus to public servants.

    “Also, various categories of small and medium enterprises in the state will benefit from the palliatives.

    “Students who are engaged in nano businesses on campus are not excluded.

    “They will also get financial support.

    “The money to nano, small, medium enterprises will be disbursed through existing government channels,” Akinterinwa said.

  • BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu announces palliatives for Lagosians

    BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu announces palliatives for Lagosians

    Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the palliative on Monday to include a 50% reduction on Lagos Buses from Wednesday.

    Sanwo-Olu also announced a 25% reduction in Yellow bus fees, which he said would be announced officially by their body.

    “Immediately from Wednesday, all public transportation that is being controlled by LAMATA and all of the high capacity buses will be plying all the routes of Lagos at a 50% discount.

    “All the commuters that will be plying on these routes will start enjoying a 50% rebate on the current transport fares that are currently being charged on all of these buses.

    “All of these will start on Wednesday. They cannot start tomorrow because they need to do a lot of configuration so that the discount can happen from Wednesday. That decision has been taken and it has been communicated with them.

    “For the informal buses, they are also going to make a pronouncement today and I can say to you we have agreed with them that they would be doing about 25% reduction on their buses, all of the yellow buses that we have on the streets.

    “They will also make a formal announcement maybe later today. That probably will take effect from tomorrow or latest on Wednesday as I have mentioned because they are also having their meeting right now as we speak,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • Reduce cost of governance instead of bogus palliatives – APC Chieftain tells Tinubu

    Reduce cost of governance instead of bogus palliatives – APC Chieftain tells Tinubu

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Dr. Olumuyiwa Adu, has advised President Bola Tinubu to reduce the cost of governance by cutting down the earnings of political appointees instead of bogus palliatives.
    Adu, who made the advice while speaking to newsmen on Sunday in Akure, said that high cost of governance continued to hinder the progress in the management of the country’s treasury and economy.
    He stated that the cost of governance in Nigeria was exceptionally too high.
    APC chieftain, who expressed disgust at the high cost of things in the country said only a small number of political elites are gaining from the situation and they have demonstrated little concern for the welfare of the people.
    Adu, an Akure-born politician and legal practitioner, explained that since Tinubu had affirmed his interest in making progress in the management of the nation’s economy, the president should be prepared to cut the cost of governance.
    According to him, financial excesses from political office holders have continued to stall the development of the country.
    The APC chieftain said that the economic crisis rocking the nation had been worsened by the removal of the fuel subsidy, adding that government should prioritise access of poor and vulnerable Nigerians to basic socio-economic rights and dividends rather than the rich.
    He argued that the suspended N8,000 palliative measure would not have solved the problems of many suffering Nigerians facing the astronomical rise in the prices of essential commodities and cost of living.
    “Except we sit down and think about the allocation of our wealth in this country and distribution of our resources, we can never get it right. If they like, let them begin to give N50,000 to every family in this country, we can’t get out of the problem.
    “We are all aware of what is obtainable in the public service, imagine a situation where somebody that on the highest grade level in public service and has worked for over 30 years, yet he’s not earning up to N500,000 per month.
    “And you elect somebody to a place where he is supposed to formulate policies for the society to be good, you are paying him N20 million in a month, we can’t get it right except we cut the cost of governance.
    “So, let us bring ourselves back to the basics. Develop our resources with that money and develop our infrastructure or use it to bring about good education into the system,” he added.
    The APC chieftain pleaded with Nigerians to support the administration of President Tinubu, which he said, would grow and develop the economic base of the country with its renewed hope to the people.
    He, however, explained that it was too early for Nigerians to start assessing the government with complaints, adding that he was optimistic that the president would perform far better than his processors in office.
    According to him, the government of 19 or 20 years ago, worked under different parameters that could be judged from indices and the situation in the entire world today is different from what it used to be then.
    “There was no benchmark to assess the performance of any government.
    “This government just came in and it has not even appointed ministers. It Is yet to know what is obtainable in most of these ministries for it to be able to sit down and see all the executive policies we need to formulate to enable them to perform as executives.
    “So, it’s too early to begin assessing the government but so far so good, from what he’s doing now the president is going through a sustainable way of approaching the problems of this country. Of course, it won’t come without pains,” he stated.