Governor Inaugurates Palliative Distribution Committee In Cross River

The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has constituted a committee to oversee the disbursement of two billion Naira Palliative fund in the state.

The Governor is determined to cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal on civil and public servants as well as ensure judicious distribution of palliative funds.

The committee, which has the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Anthony Owan-Enoh as Chairman, would implement the incentives laid out by Governor Otu for a period of six months pending when the economy improves.

Governor Otu made the announcement during a parley with the media held to mark 100 days in office.

He said; “The committee chairman would be assisted by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, some members of the executive council including members of Labour unions as well as representatives of traditional and religious institutions.”

According to him, “As part of efforts to effectively distribute the palliative, we decided to constitute a committee to enhance implementation. The committee will oversee that Cross River State civil servant receive ₦10 thousand additional funds for the next six months commencing this September.”

“Besides that, we will reintroduce subsidized mass transit busses, and reduce the working days from 5 to 3 for public and civil servants between Grade Levels (GL) 13 and below, while officers on GL 14 and above would receive additional incentives for the extra 2 days,” the Governor said.

Governor Otu further said that the state government would continue with its free basic education programme, reintroduce payment of WAEC (West African Examination Council) fees for Cross River citizens and reintroduce free medical treatment for pregnant women and children below 5 years old.

“To further make life easier for the citizens, we will provide free medical treatment for pregnant women and children below 5 years old as well as the elderly, who are 60 years and above. We intend to provide soft loans to farmers to enhance food security and improve their means of livelihood,” he said.

The Governor expressed the hope that the committee would effectively implement the plans in line with his ‘People First’ agenda.

Mercy Chukwudiebere