Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has introduced a comprehensive palliative support initiative aimed at alleviating the adverse effects of petrol subsidies on residents of the state.

The comprehensive palliative support initiative was unveiled by Governor Sani during a press conference on Tuesday.

Sani disclosed that the initiative, backed by a N2 billion palliative fund allocated by the Federal Government, is projected to benefit 210,000 economically disadvantaged households, encompassing approximately 1,050,000 vulnerable individuals.

The governor stated that the implementation of the palliative intervention would be executed in three phases, noting that the first phase entails the distribution of food items to poor and vulnerable households.

While the second and third phases will include the procurement of free buses to ease transportation challenges and supporting farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises with fertilisers and incentives to boost their businesses.

He noted that the remaining two phases of the palliative intervention will address transportation challenges, offer support to small-scale farmers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and restore train services across the three senatorial districts of Kaduna State.

Sani added that these measures are key to cushioning the sufferings of the people.

Members of the committee applauded the state government for its inclusive approach to involving significant stakeholders in palliative intervention and giving the most vulnerable and underprivileged groups priority, but they also made a case for other demographic groups.

Sani said the government was committed to the effective implementation of measures lined up in the three phases and had, therefore, put all necessary machinery in place to ensure the exercise is hitch-free, transparent, and equitable.

The press conference was also attended by Ayuba Suleiman, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other representatives from organised labour and civil society organisations, who form part of the palliative committee.
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