States roll out palliative measures as cash crunch bites harder
….Ogun to distribute 40,000 palliatives
.Lagos cut transportation fare, others
…Obaseki directs free bus services
…Borno residents to access free drugs from government hospitals
By Olubiyi Obasa
As a way of cushioning the effects arising from the redesigned naira notes, various states government have deviced series of strategies and measures to ameliorate the sufferings of their people by introducing series of measures.
Among the States that had so far roll out series of measures are Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Borno and many others.
In Lagos, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the reduction of transportation fare in the state by 50 per cent.
He made the announcement while addressing journalists at the Lagos House in the Marina area of the state.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the BRT buses, first and last-mile buses have been directed to charge 50 percent of the current fare to reduce the hardship of the naira swap on residents.
“To further support Lagosians to weather these stormy days, I hereby announce the following measures: A 50% cut in fares on all our BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY),” the governor said.
“This will take effect from tomorrow for the next seven days. We will push out more Cowrie Cards to enable more Lagosians to get onboard our services.”
The governor also stated palliative items will be distributed to residents through religious leaders, non-governmental organisations, to assist those affected by the current situation.
He further explained that the state government has suspended the road construction along Buba Maruwa, Ijegun-Egba to ease fuel dispatch across the state.
He appealed to residents not to take advantage of the economic challenge to perpetrate crime in the state.
While directing that food banks be set up in various parts of the state to cater for the vulnerable, the governor added that the state government will distribute food stuff to various communities.
The governor commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the Civil Defence and Neighbourhood Watch for their service and diligence in the state.
Enjoining Lagos residents to go about their lawful business without fear, Sanwo-Olu warned “mischief makers who may see this as an opportunity to incite violence that this is not the way to go.”
Ogun rolls out 400,000 food items for vulnerable residents
Also, Ogun State Government announced its readiness to begin the distribution of 400,000 food items to the vulnerable residents of the state.
Making the announcement in a press conference held at the Presidential Lodge on Friday, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the 400,000 food items would be the first phase of the palliatives to be distributed through the newly appointed Social Investment Officers.
He expressed the belief that the social intervention programme would provide the needed succour to the people of the state, especially in the face of the cash crunch and fuel scarcity.
Abiodun, while apologizing to the people of the state for the inadvertent hardship and inconveniences the naira swap policy has caused them, appealed to security agencies to handle the situation with more professionalism and deeper maturity.
“We will be distributing the first phase of 400,000 food items through our social investment officers in each LGA to the communities starting from this weekend.
“We hope this social intervention provides some succour to our people. Again, we apologize for the inadvertent hardship and inconveniences this policy has caused all of us.
“Let me also appeal to our security agencies to handle this situation with more professionalism and deeper maturity.
“Indeed, these are trying times for all of us. I appeal to all of us to exercise patience because the much desired relief is around the corner. Let us give peace a chance,” he said.
Abiodun, who also reiterated that violence could never resolve issues, called on the people of the state to join hands together with the government to solve the lingering problems, adding that attacking banks or any public facility would not do anybody any good.
While urging the people of the state not to allow unscrupulous elements to take advantage of the challenging times, he noted that the period was a phase which would be defeated.
Obaseki directs free bus services
In Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has directed that beginning from, Thursday, February 16, 2023, all Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) buses are to provide free services to passengers, as a means of reducing the effect of the cash crunch experienced by the people.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie said the directive is applicable to all routes and is effective till Monday, February 20, 2023, after which further announcement would be issued on the matter.
“The government calls on the people to remain calm and law-abiding and assures that normalcy will be restored shortly”, he said.
Borno residents to access free drugs from government hospitals
Worried by the effects of the cash crunch, Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, has directed the release of drugs worth N300 million and other medical supplies to government hospitals for free distribution to patients.
Mohammed Arab, commissioner for health and human services, spoke on Thursday while unveiling the drugs in Maiduguri, the state capital.
Arab said the supplies include drugs for prevalent illnesses, maternal delivery kits and other medical essentials.
The commissioner directed medical directors and principal medical officers of public healthcare centres in Maiduguri metropolitan council and Jere LGA to prepare procedural papers to receive their allocations for immediate deployment of the drugs and other supplies.
Arab said the drugs must be given free to patients that have no money at hand or those that have problems accessing funds to pay for their service.
“Officials will rely on patients to be honest because as Zulum noted. We know some people may have money and still demand free drugs by pretending they have none,” Arab said.
“We cannot refuse those in need because of a few dishonest people.”
The commissioner, on behalf of health workers in the state, thanked Zulum for coming to the aid of patients, a move which he described as “humane”.
BabaShehu Mohammed, medical director of the State Specialist Hospital, also appreciated the government’s gesture.
“We feel pained seeing patients unable to pay for diagnoses or buy drugs,” he said.
