The federal government has announced plan to pay 15m vulnerable households N75 000 each amid the the untold hardship wrought on Nigerians by the removal of fuel subsidy.
The government made the announcement in the wake of the proposed nationwide strike by the organised labour to press home demand for palliatives.
The cash gift to be paid N25000 monthly for three months is one of the raft of measures Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, said in a statement he released, the government is rolling out to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
It read in part, ‘’Labour unions argued for higher wage award and the Federal Government team promised to present Labour’s request to President Bola Tinubu for further consideration.
“A sub-committee (is) to be constituted to work out the details of implementation of all items for consideration regarding government interventions to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
“The lingering matter of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria and National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos State needs to be addressed urgently and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who participated virtually, pledged to resolve the matter.
“’NLC and TUC will consider the offers by the Federal Government with a view to suspending the planned strike to allow for further consultations on the implementation of the resolutions above.”
Speaking further, “The Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking the provision of Compressed Natural Gas buses to ease public transportation difficulties associated with the removal of PMS subsidy.
“The Federal Government commits to the provision of funds for micro and small-scale enterprises. VAT on diesel will be waived for the next six months.
“The Federal Government will commence payment of N75,000 to 15 million households at N25,000 per month, for a three-month period from October-December 2023.”
