To Cushion Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal, Delta Govt Approves N10bn for Palliatives

•AbdulRazaq commences distribution of 250,000 bags of rice in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

The Delta State Executive Council has approved the sum of N10 billion as Social Investment to fund palliatives for the people of the state cushion the effect of fuel subsidy.

This was just as Kwara  State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday reiterated the commitment of his administration to show more empathy to the people so as to bring new lease of life to the residents of the state in view of the recent decision  of the federal government to remove fuel subsidy.

The approval by Delta State government was part of decisions reached at the maiden State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday at Exco Chambers, Government House, Asaba.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr. 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 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, 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.

AbdulRazaq Commences Distribution of 250,000 Bags of Rice

Meanwhile, Kwara  State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Ilorin, flagged off the distribution of 2,500 10kg bag of  rice  to some of the vulnerable people in the state.

He, however, said more sustainable initiatives were being implemented in phases in order to reduce the sufferings of the residents due to the fuel subsidy removal in the country.

AbdulRazaq, had on August 22, inaugurated a 12-person committee to coordinate the distribution of the palliatives purchased with the N2 billion so far received from the federal government.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, at the flag off of the palliatives distribution, said: “This is only a fraction of what we have done to identify with the people at this very critical moment of our national life.

“Palliatives are a stop-gap measure to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy on the most vulnerable among us.

“Over the last few weeks, our government has rolled out different palliative measures to support the people in the formal and informal sectors.

“Also, we had earlier distributed the five trucks of rice we received from the federal government. We acknowledge the limits of this distribution in terms of the reach.

“Today, we are flagging off the distribution of the first consignments of rice we purchased with the N2 billion so far received from the federal government. We are distributing at least 250,000 10kg bags of rice in this phase.”

He added, “Beneficiaries will be identified on a non-partisan basis by the committee of eminent Kwarans.

 “This committee has continued to consult with different blocs of our communities as well as evidence-based registers of vulnerable people domiciled with key agencies of government such as the health insurance, primary healthcare agencies, as well as the World Bank.”