It is more than two months after the government of President Bola Tinubu removed subsidy of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol but Iwitnesslive can report that only five states have announced palliative measures to cushion the hardship caused by the new economic measures.
Tinubu had on his inauguration announced the removal of subsidy which has now seen the price of petrol jumping above 300 percent with many Nigerians buying the commodity as high as N617 per litre as against the N195/litre before Msy 29, 2023.
This has caused intense hardship for citizens with the prices of goods and services skyrocketing and inflation tilting towards 25 percent.
The President announced a payment of N8,000 to 12 million households as part of measures to ameliorate the pains suffered by Nigerians but the Federal Government has since rescinded the decision following an outcry that trailed the proposal.
The removal of the subsidy means more money would be retained by the government which will also reflect in the monthly allocations received by state governments.
Consequently, the state governors were expected to roll out palliative measures to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal in the interest of their residents.
However, more than two months post-subsidy, only Bayelsa, Ogun, Rivers, Bauchi and Borno out of the 36 states have announced palliatives for their citizens.
Despite the so-called palliatives only that of Ogun States were believed to be comprehensive.
Governor Douye Diri boosted the transport sector in his state by approving 100 taxis and six luxury buses as he attempts to revive the moribund Bayelsa State Transport Company, BSTC.
The Governor during the handing over of the vehicles said the scheme would help alleviate the suffering of Bayelsans as a result of the subsidy removal.
However, critics are still sceptical about the success of the scheme because they have seen how vehicles meant for public transport were converted for private use.
Bauchi State government emulated Bayelsa by buying 30 new Toyota Hiace buses to add to the fleet of the state-owned transport company, Bauchi State Transport Corporation, popularly called Yankari Express, to lessen the burden of high cost of transportation on commuters.
Governor Mohammed promised to procure grains and essential commodities for distribution to citizens as part of measures to cushion the hardship occasioned by the recent fuel subsidy removal.
He added that there are plans to procure tricycles and commercial motorcycles to create job opportunities and address transportation challenges.
Governor Simijialayi Fubara of Rivers State towed the same line when he rolled out passenger buses for free intrastate transportation in Rivers State as part of his administration’s interventions to cushion the high cost of living posed by fuel subsidy removal.
In Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum adopted the provision of food items to vulnerable homes as keep component of his palliative programme.
However, it is pertinent to note that the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, announced arguably the most robust and comprehensive palliative package.
Apart from the approval of N10,000 for civil servants and pensioners every month, for three months, the Ogun State government also approved hazard allowance for health and medical personnel, and food palliative for the most vulnerable citizens.
There is also a ‘peculiar allowance’ for public servants in the state, immediate release of promotion letters and payment of March and April 2023 leave bonuses for public servants in the state.
Other palliatives include immediate cash-backing for the quarterly payment of gratuities to pensioners, ensuring that 20 per cent of the staff of Ministries, Agencies and Departments, MDAs, are off-duty daily, resuscitation of the Gateway Trading Company and establishment of distribution outlets across the state.
Fertilizers and other farm inputs are to be supplied to farmers at subsidized and controlled prices.
Other measures include the commencement of conversion of state mass transit buses to CNG including staff buses and current public transportation buses in circulation to reduce the cost of transportation.
