Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has announced what he described as a “short-term plan” to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy and the resultant economic difficulties being faced by our people.
The governor announced this through a state-wide broadcast on Saturday evening which was monitored by DAILY INSIDER.
Makinde said the economic packages, tagged Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER), will allow “stimulate our economy and bring about sustainable development.”
It would be recalled that Nigerians have been facing untold hardship following the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, May 29 in his inaugural speech.
The decision has resulted in hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol, among other products.
DAILY INSIDER earlier reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has since been staging protest at the Oyo state secretariat, calling on the government to address the hardships faced by workers.
Responding to the yarning of the people, Governor Makinde in a broadcast announced that the government will update the social register “to include two hundred thousand (200,000) of the poorest of the poor.”
He also added that five hundred million naira (N500,000,000) has been earmarked to help youth agropreneurs who were trained under the Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project.
“We have also resolved that students of tertiary institutions in Oyo State will board the Omituntun Buses at half price upon showing their school identity card. We will also be meeting with their student leaders to agree on further measures which will be added to the SAfER package for students.
“Before I announce the next part of our SAfER package, it is imperative that I make the following observations. In the last week, the Oyo State leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have made it impossible for Oyo State Civil Servants to resume work at the State Secretariat. As a government, we believe individuals and groups have a fundamental right to protest. However, we also believe in the axiom, “Your right ends where the right of others begins.
“Therefore, while the leadership of the unions may choose to continue with their protest, they do not have the right to restrict Oyo State Civil Servants from accessing the secretariat to carry out their duties as usual.”