Follow Us on Google
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has started disbursement of ₦80 million to various union associations across the state to mitigate the current cash crunch among their members.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar-Yauri, who spearheaded the disbursement on behalf of the state government at the Cabinet Office in Birnin Kebbi, said the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The state government had approved ₦1.1 billion palliative to cushion the effects of currency redesign and fuel scarcity that engulfed the entire nation.
A total amount of ₦50 million is allocated to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kebbi State branch, ₦20 million for Commercial Motorcycle Operators (Okada), while N10 million goes to Keke Napep Operators.
While speaking with newsmen, shortly after a meeting with various officials and some selected members of the unions to signal the take-off of the exercise, the SSG said the gesture was in line with the benevolence and magnanimity of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
He explained that the essence of government was to bring succour to its citizens, assuring that: “His Excellency, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu led-administration has placed a premium on the welfare of citizens and he has been doing a lot to transform the lives of people.”
The SSG acknowledged the hardships being experienced by Nigerians due to the current naira crisis and fuel scarcity, hence the decision of the Kebbi State Government to provide aid.
He said that there was a vote of charge under his office called “Grant and Contribution” which the State House of Assembly had already given approval in the budget “for onward disbursement our people to lessen their difficulties.”
Umar-Yauri noted that the present administration was doing a lot to ensure steady payment of monthly salaries of workers, apart from prompt payment of pension and gratuity to retired civil servants across the state.
“Let categorically state that the present administration will hand over power to the next administration without owing any liability in pension and gratuity. Indeed, this is a huge success, especially to workers,” he observed.
