EDITORIAL: ROLL OUT THE PALLIATIVES
Since May 29, 2023 when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy in Nigeria, many state governors have been announcing one palliative or the other to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on her citizens.
In some states, 10,000 has been added to their civil servants across the board while some have provided buses for easy transportation.
Some governors have contemplated salary increase for workers in addition to other measures.
These measures, though insignificant, have proved the governors concern to alleviate the plight of their impoverished citizens occasioned by oil subsidy removal.
Unfortunately, in Akwa Ibom which receives the highest allocation monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, the governor has maintained a steady silence on the issue for more than two months now.
The reluctance of Governor Umo Eno to pronounce any palliative for the citizens has made the people to wonder whether Akwa Ibomites are better off than others or maybe the government cannot afford any palliative due to paucity of funds, which is the usual flimsy excuse for non- performance.
If other states with far less resources can take necessary steps to alleviate the sufferings of their people, then there is no tangible reason why the Akwa Ibom government cannot do so and is keeping her people in suspense till today.
All ears are now listening in rapt attention to hear what Governor Umo Eno has for the state and this must be made known as soon as possible, as delay may be injurious.
Akwa Ibom civil servants and retirees need an improved pay package, they need an affordable means of transportation, good roads, water and electricity supply, improvement in education and health facilities as well as security among other palliatives.
The governor must not wait for people to die or for the labour to embark on protest and strike before taking positive action on the issue.
The people need a smile on their faces just like their counterparts in other states and the time to do this is now.
