The Akwa Ibom State Government has approved a sum of N2 billion in financial support for government workers and pensioners to mitigate the economic hardship caused by the federal government’s removal of fuel subsidy.
At the state’s Executive Council meeting, chaired by Governor Umo Eno, on Thursday, August 31 in Uyo, the governor approved the sum to cushion the economic difficulty approved by citizens of the state
According to a statement from the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, the financial support is to last for three months.
The Akwa Ibom State Government said it received N2 billion and 7,200 bags of rice from the federal government.
Ememobong noted that “A total of 100,000 bags of rice will be distributed statewide. Forty bags per village to the 2,272 gazetted villages and other strategic groups.”
Apart from the proposed financial support to workers and pensioners, the Akwa Ibom government said it had already paid N2 billion as a gratuity to both state and local government retirees.
The government, in addition, said, “Fridays will become a ticket-free day for transport operators and traders in markets in all the local government areas up till December, 2023.”
It also approved the payment of N10,000 bursary to undergraduate students of Akwa Ibom origin in all public tertiary institutions in Nigeria as well as the distribution of free exercise books to primary and secondary schools in the state.
“Discussions on transportation means like CNG buses and electric taxis are ongoing, to ensure an effective, efficient and sustainable rollout,” the commissioner said.
