As part of efforts to cushion the effect of hardship resulting from fuel subsidy removal, the Kaduna State Government has unveiled a comprehensive palliative support programme aside provision of food items as it is seen in many states across the nation.
This was made known by Governor Uba Sani made the disclosure on Tuesday during a joint media briefing to flag off the programme.
The governor also set up a committee comprising the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Suleiman, and representatives of organised labour and civil society organisations to ensure that the plan is achieved.
According to Sani, 210,000 indigent households, totalling 1,050,000 vulnerable persons will benefit from the N2 billion palliative fund so far released by the Federal Government to the state.
Furthermore, the governor also announced that the implementation of the palliatives intervention would be executed in three phases, starting with the distribution of food items to poor and vulnerable households.
The second and third phases will include the procurement of free buses to ease transportation challenges, supporting farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises with fertilisers and incentives to boost their businesses
Governor Sani added that the remaining two phases of the palliative intervention will take care of transportation and assistance to smallholder farmers; micro, small and medium-scale enterprises; as well as the resuscitation of train services across the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State, which he believes are key to cushion the sufferings of the people.
Members of the committee thanked the state government for its inclusive approach of engaging with key stakeholders in palliative intervention and prioritising the most vulnerable and impoverished groups.
Sani reiterated his government’s commitment to the effective implementation of measures lined up in the three phases and had, therefore, put all necessary machinery in place to ensure the exercise is hitch-free, transparent and equitable.
Earlier, a joint committee, led by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, was established to oversee the implementation of the palliative support programme. This committee comprises representatives from organized labour, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, market unions, and people living with disabilities. It has made recommendations that have been accepted by the state government to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the program’s implementation.