Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has unveiled a series of palliative measures aimed at mitigating the impact of the recent fuel subsidy removal on the residents of the state. The measures encompass both short-term relief and medium-to-long-term developmental plans:
**Short-Term Relief Measures:**
1. **Salary Increase:** A 10% salary increase for all public servants and pensioners in the state.
2. **Monthly Cash Award:** A monthly flat non-taxable cash award of N12,000 for every pensioner and public servant in the state from September to December 2023.
3. **Rice Distribution:** Rice distribution to over 300,000 households in the state.
4. **Tax Exemptions/Reductions:** Tax exemptions and reductions for various categories of workers, including hawkers, wheelbarrow and truck pushers, vulcanizers, artisans, okada drivers, petty traders, and transporters.
5. **Healthcare:** Free antenatal services and delivery services for pregnant mothers in state primary health centers and general hospitals.
6. **Transportation:** Repair/renovation of all serviceable Public Servants Staff Buses and application to purchase CNG-fueled buses for intra-state transportation. Repair of existing and purchase of new water boats for riverine transportation.
**Medium-to-Long-Term Development Plans:**
7. **Agriculture:** Distribute one million oil palm and coconut seedlings annually to over 100,000 households. Establish an industrial complex for processing these products, creating more job opportunities for youths.
8. **Youth Empowerment:** Enhance the One Youth Two Skills program with grants and soft loan schemes, supporting entrepreneurship at a maximum interest rate of 9% per annum.
9. **Micro-Enterprises:** Set up and fund the Ward-based Cooperative Initiative for micro-enterprises.
10. **Healthcare Infrastructure:** Modernize and build new primary health centers (PHCs) in all 326 wards.
11. **Infrastructure:** Construct over 340km of roads across all twenty-one local governments.
12. **Private Sector Investment:** Improve the Ease of Doing Business in Anambra State to attract private sector investment.
Governor Soludo stated that these measures are designed to alleviate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on the people of Anambra State. The combination of immediate relief and long-term development initiatives aims to provide support and opportunities for the residents to weather the economic challenges posed by the subsidy removal.