The Ekiti State Government has distributed N50 million to 10,000 vulnerable citizens across the Local Governments and LCDAs in the state as part of its palliative schemes to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr Niyi Adebayo, said the beneficiaries would receive N5,000 each for five months, adding that two payments had already been made in October and November.
He said the initiative was motivated by the Governor’s concern for the welfare of the people of Ekiti State who were facing hardships and difficulties due to inflation.
“The beneficiaries are the people at the bottom of the pyramid, the widows, 65 years and above, physically challenged, those who have economic challenges or no income. That is where we feel that the shoes are pinching the more.
Mr Adebayo explained that the beneficiaries were selected from a social register that contains names of vulnerable people that were compiled under the guidance of the Federal Government and World Bank in 2013, and that the state government has been updating the record since then.
He stressed that the programme was not based on political parties affiliation, but on merit and economic difficulties.
He also listed other social intervention programmes that Governor Oyebanji had implemented for the people, such as the Social Health Insurance Scheme, empowerment of farmers, provision of soft loans to traders, among others.
He assured the people of the state that the government would continue to engage in meaningful ventures that would bring succour to them in the face of hardship and thanked the relevant partners who had contributed to the realization of the scheme in the state.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget, Economic Planning and Performance Management, Mr Sola Akinluyi, also commended the governor for his commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of the good people of Ekiti State, especially for approving the palliative programme for the indigent citizens.
He said the various developmental projects that the present administration had embarked upon since 2022, showed the governor’s determination to engender a sustainable socio economic development in Ekiti State.
Mr Akinluyi appreciated all stakeholders that had played a vital role in the success of the palliative scheme.
