By Daniel Bulusson, Esq A.K.A Barrister Monkey Jacket

Following the increase in cost of living and hike in transportation fare since the subsidy removal of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, certain state governors have come up with initiatives to alleviate the plight of their people pending when the Federal government comes up with a better measure top ease the sufferings and yearnings of Nigeria.

The Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq rolled out plans to give succor to workers in his state by approving the payment of additional N10, 000 to every civil servant, as they come to work only three days in a week. He has also provided free bus transportation for students of tertiary institutions, while modalities for the occasional distribution of food to the poor and vulnerable households would be activated in the next few days.

In Ogun state, public servants will for three months enjoy N10, 000 additional salaries each, immediate promotion (2021 and 2022) and leave bonuses for March and April this year, every pensioner will also have N10,000 added to his/her pay. According to news report, the government plans to convert its ass transit and staff buses to compressed National Gas and launch electric motorbikes as well as tricycles to ease transportation.

In Imo state, the government through the commissioner for budget, economic planning and statistics said, commodity centers have been set up in the 27LGAs that will stock and sell products such as rice, garri, fertilizers, etc at reduced rate to its citizens, and also improve operations and expansion of the civil service free transport scheme by expanding its routes and injecting more vehicles.

Which begs the question, how far with Kaduna state? Please correct me if am wrong, but this writer is yet to hear about any palliative measures been undertaken by the Uba Sani administration to cushion the hardship currently hitting its workers, pensioners and students of the state. To my mind, Kaduna State University, Kaduna Polytechnic, as well as the Kaduna State Government have buses that can be placed at strategic locations to ease the transportation of students, I have had the opportunity of discussing with students on how they survive the sudden hike, and I can say for sure that the transportation is now eating a larger chunk of their already meager pocket money, which makes some have to trek a long distance before boarding a keke to their destination just to cut cost.

For the civil servants, I might be wrong but I believe there are corporative in the various parastatals which the government can use as a medium to give non-interest loans of a N100, 000 – N200, 000 to be paid back in six months to help these civil servants attend to their immediate household needs like Rent, healthcare, foodstuff and the rest.

The government can also make available bicycles to low income staff like security personnel, cleaners and messengers to help with their movement to and from work.

Truth be told, the hardship of Nigerians is at a record high, and the immediate intervention of the Government is needed to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. Hence the need of this article, to call upon the attention of the Governor of Kaduna State, that his support is needed now, as these palliatives if given, would also help in curbing crime rate in our immediate society.

Permit me to use this medium to congratulate my learned senior, Sule Shuaibu A.K.A digital chair on his appointment into the Kaduna State Executive Council, as a commissioner, wish you God’s wisdom and guidance.

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