Poor residents will get N5,000 monthly as Ekiti rolls out fuel subsidy removal palliatives.

On Wednesday, the Ekiti government authorised palliatives to mitigate the impact of the elimination of fuel subsidies.

The government approved a consequential adjustment of the minimum pay for governmental personnel from Grade 14 to Grade 17 under the “Ekiti State Subsidy Relief Programme.”

It approved the payment of leave incentives for 2017, as well as the implementation and payment of promotion arrears to its civil officials for 2020 and 2021.

From August to December 2023, the government also approved the distribution of N5,000 in monthly conditional cash transfers to 10,000 poor and most vulnerable households.

The conditional transfer is aimed at the aged, while another 10,000 inhabitants, primarily the elderly, would be eligible for free medical care through the Ekiti Health Insurance Scheme.
To mitigate the impact of high transportation costs, particularly on workers and students, the government would provide free mass transit vehicles.

It would also provide free food to the poorest and most vulnerable households.

The government also approved 90 percent of the Consolidated Health compensation Structure and 100 percent Hazard Allowance for local government health personnel, as well as compensation parity for Hospitals Management Board clinical staff.

Mr. Akintunde Oyebode, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, said these at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday.

He stated that the additional money going to the state as a result of the withdrawal of gasoline subsidies will result in improved government service delivery.
“In addition to the previously mentioned interventions, the government will distribute inputs to farmers and provide financial assistance to small businesses and the informal sector,” added Oyebode.

At the news conference, Labour leaders took turns applauding the government’s efforts to alleviate citizens’ hardships.