Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has approved N10,000 monthly palliative for civil servants in the state.
This decision was announced at a press conference addressed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, at the Government House, Ilorin, on Monday, July 24.
The fund is to help workers cope with the economic constraints of the recent fuel subsidy removal.
At the press conference, Ajakaye disclosed: “On top of the palliatives is a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal.
“In deference to the new advisory of the National Economic Council for states to design their own independent responses to the development, the governor has directed the leadership of the civil service to continue a staggered work schedule — not exceeding three days a week — to reduce transportation expenses for workers.”
However, he clarified that the staggered work plan will not cover essential workers.
The governor’s media aide added:
“The governor has similarly approved the payment, from this month, July, of new hazard and skipping allowances, and 100% CONMESS for consultants and medical doctors under the government’s payroll.
“He also approved a new regime of allowances for nurses working for the state government. The whole essence is to check the attrition rate in the health sector, and attract and retain medics and specialists to provide improved, qualitative healthcare services for the people of the state.
“The governor has also endorsed immediate cash-backing of 2019 and 2020 promotion for Teaching Service Commission workers. The administration had earlier cash-backed arrears of promotion for TESCOM for 2015-2018.”