Subsidy: Senator Backs Gov Mbah’s Charge On Palliatives In Enugu

The Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu has lauded the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for rising up to the occasion of the adverse effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

The senator said it is highly commendable that in the face of the harsh economic realities of the federal government’s policy on residents of Enugu State, the governor has demonstrated care and empathy by rolling out palliatives to mitigate the untold hardship being faced by the people.

Ngwu in a statement said: “Just when residents of Enugu State felt that their suffering was endless, our amiable Governor brought succour. This, he did by setting up a committee for the procurement, storage and distributions of the relief items to the citizens.

“He (Mbah) gave clear instructions to the committee chaired by his loyal deputy, His Excellency Ifeanyi Ossai to handle the palliatives with transparency and ensure the speedy distributions of those items to those in dire need of them.

“The Governor left no one in doubt over his well intended decision when he said: ‘What we are doing now is to see how to fix the pains people are going through. There are also plans for short and medium term solutions, and that we are going to do in due course’.

“What I am asking you to do is to ensure that this gets to the people who deserve the palliatives. In terms of items that will be distributed, what is extremely important in situations like this, is speed. I also want to, not only be transparent, but to be seen as transparent.”

He also hailed Governor Mbah for the giant step taken to clear the pension and gratuity arrears of retirees in the state to ease the economic hardship they were facing amid the subsidy removal.

The governor had on Wednesday inaugurated a committee on Verification and Payment of Outstanding Pensions and Gratuities to State Retirees with  the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia as chairman.

“This is in line with His Excellency’s campaign promises to uphold the welfare of the people; to help cushion the immediate and short-term effects of the removal of subsidy and the vision to eradicate poverty in Enugu State, particularly in ensuring that the vulnerable ones; the retirees have access to funds to maintain a reasonable and dignifying standard of life.

“It is also quite commendable that since the assumption of office, Governor Mbah has embarked on numerous people’s oriented policies, programmes and projects to take the state to the next level of development.

“While His Excellency’s concerted and genuine efforts cut across many sectors, particular mention must be made of the swift steps to solve perennial challenge of water supply in Enugu. As it is amongst humans, water is life and light (power) is the key to socio-economic progress, hence the Governor is bringing life fully to the people,” he added.