TheCable

The Jigawa government says it has approved N50 million to empower 1,000 women traders to lessen the effect of the petrol subsidy removal on their businesses.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Sagir Musa, commissioner for information, youths, sports and culture, said the approval followed a memo presented to the council by Hadiza Abdulwahab, the commissioner for women’s affairs.

“The council ordered the ministry to select 1,000 women petty traders and support them with N50,000 each, to enhance their businesses,” he said.

“This is just the beginning, more programmes and projects will follow, to support the people as part of our efforts to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal.”

Musa said Umar Namadi, the governor of Jigawa, highlighted his 12-point agenda (Greater Jigawa agenda), during the council meeting.

Some states have taken measures to mitigate the effect of the subsidy removal on their workers.

Some of the measures include cash transfer programmes, the provision of subsidised mass transit buses as well as payment of outstanding liabilities of public servants, including pensioners.

In June, the Kwara government directed the reduction of workdays from five to three to cushion the high transportation cost for public servants.

On July 24, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Kwara governor, approved a cash support of N10,000 for every public servant in the state, beginning in July.

The Edo state government, on June 6, reduced work days for its civil servants from five to three.

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, also assured workers that the government will continue to pay N40,000 as minimum wage and hopes to increase the amount.