….okays 100% CONMESS for doctors, allowances for nurses
Subsidy Removal: Kwara Gov approves N10,000 for workersOkays 100% CONMESS for doctors, allowances for nurses
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State Governor and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Monday, approved a slew of multibillion naira palliatives to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidyremoval, which cut across different sectors and demographies of the state.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye during a press briefing at the Government House, the state government also approved a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, beginning in July and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal
The Governor, in deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development, also directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers.
It could be noted that the state government had earlier introduced a three-day work schedule for its civil servants, but suspended it in deference to an earlier advisory of the NEC for states to await a more holistic response to the development.
The staggered work plan will not cover ‘essential workers’, the statement clarified.
However, the Governor also approved the payment, from July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll, while also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government.
Governor AbdulRazaq also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers.
The Governor also restored steps for Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) workers.
“In the same vein, he has approved cash-backing for 2021 promotion exercise of teaching and non-teaching staff of SUBEB and restoration of steps to all of them.
“The Governor also approved the extension of free bus rides for students of tertiary institutions in the state, while modalities for occasional distribution of food to poor and most vulnerable households are to be activated in the next few days.
“This shall be nonpartisan, and would be coordinated by a government team to be supported by respected stakeholders who would get inputs from traditional rulers, religious bodies, market leaders, trade unionists, and community based organisations to generate the lists of beneficiaries and disburse accordingly.
“The Governor has also approved for the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) to activate a N500m worth of conditional support for petty traders and MSMEs in the state.
“The government, meanwhile, will be setting up a committee to interface with marketers on the need to curb extortionist tendencies as seen in arbitrary fixing of prices of food stuffs.