The Delta State Government has outlined its procedure for distributing palliatives to its citizens to mitigate the impact of the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government. Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of the State Subsidy Palliative Committee, provided details of the distribution model during a news conference in Asaba.
The distribution model includes the allocation of 40 percent to 500 Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) Wards in the state, with 10 percent reserved for urban wards. Additionally, 25 percent will be distributed to heavily impacted individuals, including Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) and widows, while 20 percent is allocated for poor and vulnerable households. A further five percent is reserved as contingency for the Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The distribution will include 50kg bags of rice and maize, which will be distributed to poultry farmers across the state. These food items have been facilitated by the Federal Government through a loan to the states, repayable over 20 months.
Emu said: “As a state we have commenced the process of distribution of palliatives for a long time by embarking on the payment of N5.522 billion promotion arrears to workers which commenced since August.
“We have also commenced the payment of N10,000 for over 50,196 workers since August and the recruitment of 2,000 primary school teaching and non-teaching staff across the state.
“Governor Oborevwori also approved the commencement of three working days rotational scheme for civil servants on Salary Grade leve 1-14, while staff on SGL 15 and above are to work out what is convenient for them in their respective MDAs while ensuring that essential services remain uninterrupted”.
The SSG further said that the state government guaranteed N40bn pensions payment for local government workers and retired primary school teachers with payment commencing in September.
“We also working on purchasing tricycles (Keke) bi-fuel engine (petrol and gas) to be distributed across the three senatorial districts.
“Finally we are also in discussion with several organisations to provide CNG and EV powered inter and intra city commuter buses through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option.”
Dr Emu called on journalists and well meaning individuals to help monitor the distribution process to ensure it gets to the targeted recipients.
He however assured that with the measures taken by the State Government in the selection of the palliative distribution Committee at various levels, the process of distribution would be seamless across the state.
He said the Local Government Monitoring Team would consist of a non-patisan and trusted leader as Chairman with representation from traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of NULGE, women and youth.
He explained that the Ward Committees is made up of a non-partisan and trusted leader as Chairman, representative of the traditional ruler, President-General or representatives of the communities or quarters and a credible NGO representative.
