August 9, 2023
Edo State Executive Council Press Briefing
The Executive Council of the Edo State Government met and the following deliberated amongst others.
1 Social Security, Data and Palliatives
In line with the assurance Governor Obaseki gave to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) during its warning strikes the previous week, the state government announced the sum of N500 million to be given to the vulnerable citizens of the state at N20,000 per household, beginning from September, as palliative to cushion the biting effects of the removal of fuel subsidy and the rise in the cost of living.
The N500 million would be taken from the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). We have a reliable database of 314000 households and over a million citizens which we compiled between 2019 and 2021 in conjunction with the world bank.
Exco resolved that we should revalidate and review the data. We have an effective and efficient database that will enable us to identify the very vulnerable in the state. During the period of revalidation and review, officers of Edo state residency cards office will in the company of the officials of NIN capture and issue cards and identification numbers to these categories of persons. The state residence cards will have the data of all the potential recipients and it will be the instrument through which they are credited and they withdraw their stipends .
2.Security
On security, the government is retraining 1,500 Vigilantes at the Police Training College in Ogida Barracks for vigilante assignment.
We are recommissioning them to make sure that they think like law enforcement agents, and improve their efficiency and effectiveness for the security of Edo people. We want Edo State to be one of the safest states in the country. That’s why we have regular trainings of vigilantes to make sure that we have a strong and properly motivated vigilante network.
- Deputy Governor impeachment saga.
Exco condemned the action of the state deputy governor, H.E. Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, who last week dragged H.E. Governor Godwin Obaseki and four others to an Abuja Federal High Court over an alleged plan to impeach him as the deputy governor of the state.
Exco was saddened by the action of the deputy governor, and condemned such in strong terms as his impeachment claim was not a thing before he went to court.
Signed
Chris Osa Nehikhare
Hon. Commissioner for Communications and Orientation.
