Subsidy Removal: AbdulRazaq approves multisectoral palliatives

<p>The Kwara Government 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>The Chief Press Secretary to Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of the state, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen on the development in Ilorin.</p>, <p>Ajakaye said that on top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which begins by July ending and last until a new minimum wage is introduced.</p>, <p>“This will enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal. “In deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development.</p>, <p>“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.</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 however clarified.</p>, <p>According to him, the governor has similarly approved the payment, effective from this July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100 per cent 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.</p>, <p>He explained that 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.</p>, <p>Ajakaye added that the governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers.</p>, <p>“The admini