Human rights activist, Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has asked the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to begin palliative payment to assist less privileged families in the state to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy.
Agberen made the call in a statement signed and made available to newsmen.
He said the fuel subsidy removal has left the people living in extreme poverty. “Affording a square meal has become almost impossible, transportation is on the high side and it has also affected the price of commodities in the market.
“House rents are being increased by landlords/landladies. Increments in registration/tuition fees by almost 100% to 200% among tertiary institutions within and outside Delta State would make it almost difficult for parents to give their children quality and affordable education. Access to health services is another issue to ponder about.”
While noting that the true essence of government is to reduce the cost of governance and eliminate poverty and hardship, Agberen said, “the Delta State Government is capable enough to provide policies and programmes that will reduce hardship.
“As a rich oil producing State, the Delta State Government can do more and emulate other s tates like, Ebonyi, Edo and Imo State Government that increased minimum wages of workers with N10,000.”
He pointed out that, “The Imo State Government has also released buses that would ease transportation for workers and residents in the state.
“Bayelsa and the River State Government has also released taxi and luxury buses to help transport costs.
“Kwara State has reduced working days from five(5) days to three(3) working days because of the hardship and cost in transportation and other states like Oyo and Ondo states have set committees to plan and work out strategies to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal. Osun State is giving free medical services as palliative but the Delta State Government is yet to come out with any plans or possible strategies to do likewise.”
Comrade Agberen insisted that, “The Delta State Government can revive the Delta State Urban Mass Transit Scheme. Deltans, families can be paid N20,000 monthly by the State Government for palliative. Deltans can have free access to health/medical services across the states with free medications as palliative.”