Kwara governor approves multibillion naira packages to mitigate fuel subsidy removal effects

<p>Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has approved a slew of multibillion naira palliatives to neutralise the effects of recent removal of fuel subsidy, cutting across different sectors and demographies of the state.</p>, <p>On top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye told a news briefing on Monday morning.</p>, <p>In deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development, the Governor has directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers, he said.</p>, <p>Kwara had earlier introduced a three-day work schedule for its civil servants, but suspended it in deference to an earlier advisory of the NEC for states to await a more holistic response to the development.</p>, <p>The staggered work plan will not cover ‘essential workers’, the governor’s spokesman clarified.</p>, <p>“The Governor has similarly approved the payment, from this month, July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll. He also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government. The whole essence is to check attrition rate in the health sector, and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state,” he added.</p>, <p>“The Governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers. The administration had earlier cash-backed arrears of promotion for TESCOM for years 2015-2018.</p>, <p>“In the same vein, he has approved cash-backing for 2021 promotio