Subsidy Removal: FG Offers N5bn Palliative To Each State, FCT
BY EDMOND ODOK – In a move to cushion the biting effects of the petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians, the Federal Government on Thursday announced N5 billion as palliative to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Rising from the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum made the announcement while addressing State House correspondents in Abuja.
Governor Zulum, who gave insights on deliberations at the meeting, also said the Council agreed that states bordering the Niger Republic would be assisted with more palliative materials because of the influx of refugees due to the ongoing crisis in the neighbouring country.
It was further gathered that the NEC considered other general issues relating to the Federation’s financial status, as well as the effective deployment of palliatives to address the current hardship and sufferings being experienced by Nigerians following the fuel subsidy removal.
Governors who attended the meeting include Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dr. Alex Otti (Abia), Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Inuwa Yahya (Gombe), Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
Others are Prof. Charles Soludo (Anambra), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Prince Bassey Otu (Cross River), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Sheriff Obrevwori (Delta), Umaru Namadi (Jigawa), and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).
Also at the meeting were Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State acting governor), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Professor Babagana Zulum (Borno), Ahmad Aliu (Sokoto), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba). Others representing their States were the Deputy governors of Adamawa, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Rivers, and Yobe.
NEC Membership comprises governors of the 36 states of the federation, Ministers of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other government officials as decided by Mr President.
