Soludo Moves To Mitigate Fuel Subsidy Removal Challenge, Organizes Two Days Joint Retreat For Anambra State Executives, Legislators.

By Ndife David - Awka.

In line with the demands for sensitivity and responsiveness and the need to rise to the occasion to mitigate the effect of the ongoing fundamental resetting of the micro economic frontline orchestrated by the removal of fuel subsidy as well as reduction in the distortion in exchange rate, Anambra State Government has organized a twos day retreat for state government executives and legislators to collectively pathfinder a more sustainable approach to better the living standard of Ndi Anambra.

The event which featured a 72hours marathon closed door meeting session of all the principal officers of the State Government as well as Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly took place at Golden Tulip Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area Of Anambra State.

In a press briefing shortly after the retreat, Governor Chukwuma Soludo while noting first event as first in annals of the state, stated that the essence of the combined retreat is part of the state government's resolve to partner and work assiduously with all the arms of government to achieve the desired dream of a successful Anambra ceased the opportunity to roll out the government interim palliative measures to alleviate the impact of the present economic challenges. He stated that the current state of the Nation calls for prompt intervention and serious commitment from all levels of government to ameliorate the consequences of the short term effect of the policy change and livelihood of the people.

According to the Governor, the welfare of ordinary Nigerians especially the poor and vulnerable part of Anambra remains his primary focus. We are progressive government, therefore, there is no better time to rise up to full essence of our party motto "Be your brothers and sisters keeper", and idealogical start on behalf of the ordinary persons than now to ensure that Ndi Anambra benefits maximally from the proposed palliative agenda.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo went further to announce non-taxable cash award to pensioners and public servants in the employment of the State government and the 21 local government areas.

"The non-taxable award is 12,000 naira each, to augment their monthly take home from September to December, 2023 and the increment is approximately for 59,000 civil servants and pensioners, he said"

Governor Soludo mentioned that his administration had already adjusted and increased salaries by 10% since January, 2023. He listed other measures within the context of the 2023 budget framework to ameliorate the sufferings of millions of unemployed, underemployed youths and vulnerable segment of Anambra population.

These includes continued clearance of backlog of pensions and gratuities, distribution of rice to over three hundred thousand households in the coming weeks across the three hundred and twenty six wards in the state, tax and levies exemptions for vulnerable persons such as hawkers, wheel barrow and truck pushers, vulcanizers, petty traders, artisans, okada riders and small businesses with a capital of less than one hundred thousand naira.

He further announced that effective, September 1, 2023, the IGR payments of all transporters including, Keke, Minibus, Bus drivers are reduced by twenty percent and noted that basic education remain tuition free for all public schools as his administration is reviewing the plethora of other levies, fees, and charges in those schools.

Governor Soludo also emphasized that his government will device further measures to sanitize the system and reduce the burden on Anambra pupils, students and their sponsors stressed that before schools resume in September 2023. He pointing out that henceforth free antenatal services and free delivery services will be provided to pregnant mothers in the state primary health centres and general hospitals and added that more comprehensive medical package for Anambra residents will be made, especially the senior citizens and children in the 2024 budget.

While calling on landlords to show empathy on their tenants at this challenging moment and consider easier options for rent payment, Professor Soludo also gave the assurance that his administration will work more on every sector of transportation within the state to reduce the cost of transportation within Anambra. be applying to purchase many of the CNG buses for mass transportation under TRACAS for intrastate transportation.

On federal government's palliative fund, the governor
assured of collaborating with the federal government to update social register, to ensure that the state citizenry benefit maximally from the cash transfer scheme. He assured of partnering with the federal government to obtain a soft loan for the purchase of rice for Anambra citizens, noting that as a progressive government, his administration will not relent in its efforts to leave nobody behind.

Contributing, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ms Chiamaka Helen Nnake stated that the importance of the palliative project is targeted at bringing immediate succour to the more vulnerable people who were less captured in the context of 2023 budget due to the impact of the sudden economic challenges in the country. She affirmed that the state government is still focused on her transformation agenda to revamp the economy and bring a total turnaround in the economic, sociocultural and living standard of the Ndi Anambra and noted that the critical/total economic transformation programs will yield a very good result that Ndi Anambra will be proud of.

In his separate, the Speaker, Anambra State House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze while commending Governor Soludo for his prompt intervention noted that the palliative measure will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of Ndi Anambra especially the vulnerable and reduce the effect of the present economic challenges facing the country. Hon. Somtochukwu also stated that the retreat was aimed at fostering a robust synergy and enthrone smooth working relationship between the two arms of government. He urge the lawmakers to support and partner with the State Government in building a better Anambra for all.

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