Stakeholders in Kogi tasks government on all-inclusive committee on palliative implementation
Stakeholders have called on Kogi State Government to set up all-inclusive committee, made up of representatives from all stakeholders in the State to fashion a road map for implementation of a holistic Palliative administration.
This was contained in a communiqué Issued at the end of a One-day stakeholders’ townhall meeting on Fuel Subsidy Removal and how to make Kogi State Palliatives Citizen-focused Organized By Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET), held in Lokoja, the state capital.
The group noted that the announcement of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy removal by the Nigerian Government on the 29th May 2023 has brought about a plethora of challenges both economical and social.
The communique which was signed by Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, Chairperson, KONGONET and Hamza Aliyu, Executive Director, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement, (INGRA), said the One-Day Meeting was held to develop a charter of demand for stakeholders to engage the State Government in the process of palliative distribution and to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.
The meeting had in attendance representatives from the organized private sector, religious bodies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Government representatives, Pensioners, Legislative arm of Government, Persons with Disabilities, Youth leaders, Women Groups, Farmers Organizations, Organized Labour, and the Media.
They called on the Ministry of Information and Communication to immediately set up a modality for periodic information sharing on government activities to create awareness.
While calling on the the State Government to scale up the NG-CARES to more beneficiaries,
It urged the State Government to as as a matter of urgency, ensure effective implementation of the Disability Law to provide a platform for inclusion in the state palliative measures.
“A key strategy for palliative administration should involve the development of Rural Infrastructures, especially roads, housing and Primary Health Care (PHC).
“We call on the government to immediately set in motion mechanisms for improving Rural Infrastructures.
“The State and Local governments must as a matter of urgency put in place a viable and accessible mass transportation system that includes marine, road, and rail options/alternatives, while partnering with the private sector.
“Salary increases and other welfare packages for workers and Pensioners should be done with consideration on the attendant effect it has on the economy.
“There is a need for the government to check the incessant increase in the cost of food in the state through a functional Market Board.
It also called for resuscitation of the Kogi State Consumers Shops should be considered, while Government should subsidize agricultural inputs for farmers to boost food production across the state.
“The Social Register of vulnerable persons should be updated to reflect the reality on ground, and should be adopted by the State in palliative administration.
“Government should provide grants to vulnerable citizens (especially women) to alleviate their suffering at the community level.State government should provide palliatives for small scale business to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.
