Subsidy Removal: Makinde Plans Salary Raise, To Deploy More Buses 

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has revealed plans to increase the salaries of civil servants in the state.

The governor said it was a move by the state government to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal announced by President Bola Tinubu on his inauguration day.

Naija News gathered that the governor also disclosed that plans are underway to also roll out more state buses for residents that are not civil servants.

Makinde made the disclosure in his address at the flag off of the 8.3-kilometre dualisation of Akobo Ojurin/Odogbo Barracks to Olorunda Abaa Junction, Ibadan, which took place at Gbagi, Olorunda Abaa Road.

He said “We know that things are getting harder. The subsidy on PMS has been removed, and this makes transportation cost to increase further. I have already set up a committee to look into what we can do about increasing salaries of civil servants.

“But I know that everyone in Oyo State is not a civil servant. So, we have decided to deploy more Omituntun buses to ease off the transportation worries. I have directed that there should be no increase in fare, being paid on these buses. Furthermore, schoolchildren and our senior citizens will board these buses at half price. We will continue to look into other ways of easing the burden you bear.”

Speaking further Makinde also gave an update on the audit carried out on the Light-Up Oyo Project saying “We know this project is one of the ways we are ensuring economic security for our people because when the lights are on, our people are able to stay out longer and carry out economic activities.

“As promised, we carried out the audit, and we have reached an alignment with the contractor. So, I assure you that in the next two to three weeks, all the light will be back, working, and then we will continue to expand the project.”