Rice distribution, tax exemption — Soludo rolls out palliatives to cushion effects of subsidy removal

Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, has rolled out interim palliative measures to cushion the rising cost of living for the residents of the state due to the removal of the petrol subsidy.

In a state broadcast on Monday, the governor announced that the government will distribute bags of rice to over 300,000 households in the coming weeks across the 326 wards in the state.

He said artisans and other categories of petty traders will be exempted from all forms of taxation and levies.

“In the meantime and over the remaining four months of the year (September – December) as well as within the context of our 2023 budget framework, we are rolling out a few immediate- and medium-term measures,” he said.

“The following highly vulnerable persons are exempt from all forms of taxation/levies: hawkers; wheelbarrow and truck pushers; vulcanizers; artisans, okada drivers; petty traders with a capital of less than N100,000.

“The IGR payments of all transporters including keke, minibus, etc are hereby reduced by 20 percent with effect from September, 1.

“Henceforth, we will provide free antenatal services and free delivery services to pregnant mothers in state primary health centres and general hospitals.”

The governor said he looked forward to partnering with the federal government to ensure that residents of Anambra benefit from the conditional grant of N50,000 to no fewer than 1,300 businesses in the 21 LGA.

He is also optimistic that the residents will have access to the N100 billion Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) commercial agricultural loan and other facilities that can be collected at nine percent interest. 

Soludo said he has also approved the repair of all serviceable public servants’ staff buses currently under the office of the head of the service to facilitate the movement of state workers.

He said his administration would embark on the repair of existing boats and purchase of new ones to ease transportation for residents in the riverine local governments.

“We will be applying to purchase many of the CNG-fueled buses to be provided by the federal government for intra-state transportation,” he added.

“We are getting ready to deal with the heavy flooding expected to massively affect eight local governments and have made arrangements for resettlements of those living in flood-prone areas.”

The governor added that the government would provide free health services to pregnant women, noting that tuition will remain free for students in primary school to junior secondary school 3.

“Basic education from primary school to JSS3 remains tuition free for all public schools and we are reviewing the plethora of other levies, fees, and charges in these schools,” he said.

“Henceforth, we will provide free antenatal services and free delivery services to pregnant mothers in state primary health centres and general hospitals.”