Sen Otu outlines plans to cushion the effects of fuel hike, Constitutes Palliative Distribution Committee
Oru Leonard/Emmanuelle Alfred
Cross River State Governor in Nigeria, His Excellency, Sen. Bassey Otu has reacted to the complaints of Cross River State people to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of petrol subsidy.
Sen. Otu said this while addressing newsmen in his office adding that it is necessary for any forward thinking administration to come up with workable solutions to alleviate the concerns of its citizenry.
One of those measures he outlined is the reduction of workdays for civil servants from 5 to 3 as it will help to reduce the burden of transportation cost occsuoned by the removal of fuel subsidy
He said: “we have decided on the following measures to reduce the burden caused by fuel subsidy removal:
i. Payment of an allowance of N10,000.00 each to all workers across board for the next six months beginning from September, 2023.
ii. Re- introduction of the mass transit system for inter-city travels on a fairly subsidized rate for all citizens.
Ill. Continuation of the free tuition in all government owned primary and secondary schools. Additionally, Government will sustain the payment of examination fees for SSCE for State indigenes.
IV. Provision of free medical care for children under 5 and pregnant women. This will be extended to include elderly aged 60 years and above.
V. Our farmers will be granted soft-loan and provided with fertilizer and other inputs to boost food production the state.”
Sen. Otu added that this measures are to take place with immediate effect.
The Governor has also constituted the palliative Committee with the following members: Prof. A. Owam Enoh, Secretary to the State Government – Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Irobar, Chief of Staff – Member, Mr. Mike Odere, Commissioner for Finance – Member, Dr. Helen Agan Egodo, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs – Member, Bishop Margaret Ene Ita, Commissioner for Social Welfare – Member, Hon. Erasmus Ekpang, Commissioner for Information – Member, Maj. Gen. Obono Okoi Ubi (Rtd)., State Security Adviser – Member, Comrade Olayi Grefory, Chairman NLC – Member, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, Chairman TUC – Member.
Others are: Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser General Duties – Member,
Mrs. Angela Odey, D.G SEMA – Member, Mr. Esoso Anah Esoso – Member, Barr. John Orim, Mr. Peter Akpere – Member, NACRISS President – Member, Representative of Traditional Rulers – Member and the representative of the Religious Organisations – Member
