Few days ago, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo in a statewide broadcast rolled out the palliative programmes of his government that will cushion the effects of the economic hardship in the country. The announcement of the palliative programme follows the decision of the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu to reset the macroeconomic framework in the country by removing the subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS or fuel and reducing the distortions in the exchange rate in the country. The hard but necessary decision came with consequences leading to hyper inflation in the costs of goods and services and attendant hardship on the citizens.
For Governor Soludo, it then behooves on his government to provide soft landings for the citizens of the state to cope with the policy. The palliatives which were designed as interim measures to fit into the budgetary framework of the state in 2023 is expected to be expanded and properly incorporated in the 2024 budget. The interim palliative programme covers every member of the Anambra populace having taken into cognizance that everyone is affected.
These palliatives include that each of the civil servants and pensioners in the employ of Anambra State Government and the twenty-one local government areas will, between the period of September to December 2023, receive a monthly flat non-taxable cash stipend of N12,000. This stipend will be in addition to the 10% salary increment already implemented since January 2023.
Also, the state government will distribute bags of rice to over three hundred thousand households across the three hundred and twenty-six wards in the state. It, as well, promised to exempt hawkers, wheel barrow and truck pushers, vulcanizers, artisans, Okada riders and petty traders with a capital of less than N100,000 from all forms of taxes and levies while all transporters including tricycle or Keke riders and minibus drivers will receive 20% reduction in their IGR payments effective from Friday.
Also, He promised that while basic education remain tuition free for all public schools in the state, the state government will review all the other levies, fees, and charges in these
schools and before the resumption of schools next month, make further announcements to sanitize the system and reduce the burden on the pupils, the students and their sponsors.
The Governor also announced the provision of free antenatal services and delivery services to pregnant mothers in the state primary health centres and general hospitals. He also promised that from 2024, a more comprehensive medical package for residents of the state , especially for senior citizens and children will be unveiled.
The palliative also include an approval for the repair of all serviceable public servants’ staff buses currently under the office of the Head of Service of Anambra State and the application for the purchase of CNG-fueled buses that will be provided by the Federal Government for intra-state transportation. The state government will also embark immediately on the repair of existing and purchase of new water boats for communities in riverine areas. These are aimed at reducing the cost of transportation within Anambra.
In the medium and long term plan, the Governor also announced holistic, realistic, and measurable policies that are expected to address the impact of the removal of the subsidy and reduce dependence on imported goods which reduces the purchasing power of citizens occasioned by the over-dependence on the dollar. These medium and long term plans include access to credit facilities for nano, micro, small and medium scale enterprises with single digit loans and grants; empowerment of thousands of the beneficiaries of the state government’s “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative and the employment of more persons as teachers and for public works.
It is not surprising that Governor Soludo announced a palliative programme that touched every fabric of the Anambra society given that at the nascency of his government, he had promised that while implementing his disruptive change agenda that may come with short term pains but promises long terms benefits that his government will deliver such difficult changes with a human face. This “human face” he has, once again, delivered through this palliative programme. We, must, therefore continue to support him towards a better Anambra; for indeed, the Solution is here!
EDITORIAL
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