By Raphael Okhiria
Highly concerned by the hardship been forced on most Nigerians by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, the Edo state government is planning to give a palliative of N20,000 to 314 residents of the state.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City, shortly after the weekly state exco meeting.
He stated that the proposed palliative is in fulfilment of the promise Governor Godwin Obaseki, made to the State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, during their protest to the Government House over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
Nehikhare noted that the state government will use Its data base so as to get the appropriate records for a smooth payment to the beneficiaries in the state.
He added that those households captured in the data base will start getting their N20,000 monthly beginning from next month to the vulnerable people and the poorest of poor.
The commissioner revealed that the state government will make use of the Edo Resident Card Permit along with NiN so that those who have not been captured will be included in the monthly payment.
According to him, “We are using our internally generated revenue which is been contributed by Edo citizens to do this. I think this is a noble idea that should be applauded by the people. The government is doing this to support the vulnerable people in our midsts”.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the state government is training about 1,500 Vigilantes to boost the security situation in the state.
“The government is taking the full biometric of this Vigilantes presently going through training so that they can do their work effectively and become part of the security arrangement in the state.
Recall that the Edo state government had earlier reduced from five to three working days to cussion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on civil/public servants in the state.
About Author
