Kwara State government said it had spent N5.740 billion to support households in the state since the fuel subsidy was removed.

It announced plans to commence fresh distribution of N2 billion rice to the people of the state to cushion the hardship being experienced by them.

Governor AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq was quoted to have said this during the state executive council meeting (SEC) held at the weekend.

The commissioner for Communication, Mrs Bola Olukoju, affirmed this in a statement she issued in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.

“Amounts totalling N5.740 billion were spent to support the households, while Kwapreneur beneficiaries got between N250,000 and N3 million to support their businesses.

“Between May 2023 and now, the government has implemented different layers of social safety programmes which benefitted at least 124,170 people, 368 SMEs that got support through Kwapreneur, and 20 groups that were supported through the state-funded empowerment initiatives,” the governor said.

He said the fresh distribution of rice worth N2 billion to the people through Muslims and Christian clerics, community-based groups and other stakeholders across the state commenced yesterday.

LEADERSHIP. reports that a palliative committee set up by the governor in the wake of fuel subsidy removal, had on Saturday submitted its report to the governor.

The EbunOluwarotimi Adelesi-led committee said it distributed a N2 billion rice palliative to the vulnerable across the 193 wards in the state in fair and just manner.

AbdulRazaq added that different agricultural initiatives are at work to achieve sustainable food security in the state.

“The government will continue to support the people at this time and always, as we have been doing. More initiatives are also in the work, including food support. It is true that allocation rose following subsidy removal. But so has our wage bill and commitments. We have recorded a rise in monthly allocation (FAAC), which is an average of N1.5bn. But it may interest you that, as a state, we spend a little below N1bn on the wage award alone every month.

“What about the implementation of 100 percent CONHESS and others, apart from other interventions and support for the people? Our wage bill has risen. A lot more is being planned, including at the federal level. We definitely do not deny the impact of inflation, which also affects even the cost of providing public services to the people. Together, we will get over this time,” the governor said.