Anambra’s Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted an additional N12,000 to 59,000 pensioners and public employees in the state.
Starting from September and extending through December 2023, the extra N12,000 will be disbursed in response to the removal of petroleum subsidy. This move follows a 10% salary increase that had been implemented since January 2023 to counteract the effects of inflation.
The governor’s Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, confirmed this measure, aimed at mitigating the impact of subsidy removal. Soludo also expressed a commitment to cooperate with federal programs, although he didn’t specify whether his administration was involved in receiving President Bola Tinubu’s palliative shared with states.
Soludo acknowledged the challenges posed by the elimination of fuel subsidies and assured the public that efforts were being made to address pension backlogs and provide rice to households.
He stated, “In our 2024 budget, we will address longer-term issues. For now, we’re taking immediate steps.” These steps encompassed the recent 10% salary increase, the N12,000 cash allocation for pensioners and public servants from September to December 2023, and tax exemptions for vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, the government is introducing CNG-fueled buses to ease transportation costs, initiating the distribution of oil palm and coconut seedlings to uplift households from poverty, and planning micro-business loans. Additionally, the government is actively providing cash transfers, grants, and soft loans to support small businesses.
