August 17, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government has announced a N5 billion palliative for each State of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to cushion the hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the removal of petrol subsidy.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday, at State House, Abuja.
Zulum explained that the measure was part of measures to bring temporary solutions to the high cost of living caused by the subsidy removal, as the government continues to work with more enduring programmes.
According to him, the States are to purchase 100,000 bags of rice and beans among other items, adding that each of the States is also to receive five trucks of rice.
He also said the NEC agreed that the frontier States bordering the Niger Republic are to be assisted with more palliative materials than other States, considering the influx of refugees into their domains from the troubled neighbouring country.
On his part, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, said that the review of the social register was in progress. He said Nigeria was already having refugees from Niger Republic, which he said is affecting the distribution of palliatives.
But the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, said only N2 billion has, so far, been given to States instead of the N5 billion approved
THEWILL earlier reported that the NEC meeting had in attendance Governors Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Inuwa Yahya (Gombe), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Dr. Alex Otti (Abia), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Others were Senator Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna), Sheriff Obrevwori (Delta), Prof. Charles Soludo (Anambra), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Umaru Namadi (Jigawa).
Also at the meeting were Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Prince Bassey Otu (Cross River), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo State acting Governor), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ahmad Aliu (Sokoto), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Deputy Governors of Katsina, Rivers, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, and Kebbi also participated in the meeting.
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