By Amos Tauna
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, northwest Nigeria, says, the 21-day ultimatum given to the state government by the state NLC to implement minimum wage for local government employees and promotion of some primary school teachers in the state is immature, irrational and astonishing.
The state NLC on Monday, as published by Nigerian dailies had given a 21-day ultimatum to the state government to implement minimum wage for local government employees and promotion of some primary school teachers in the state.
“In fact and indeed, the letter came to us as a surprise, knowing fully the agreement reached between His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara state and Chairman Nigeria Governors’ Forum Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, Shattiman Zamfara, on same issues,” spokesman to governor Abdulaziz Yari, Ibrahim Dosara, said in a statement.
He added that, “The Executive Governor told the NLC officials during a meeting preceding may day, that he had no problems in the implementation of the local government workers’ minimum wage and was ready to pay.
“However, the reports of several committees set up by the government to verify the actual workforce in the local government service showed that the actual figure was quadrupled,” the
It explained, “An agreement was reached between the Executive Governor and the NLC to take over the verification exercise and get the actual figure, then summit for the implementation of minimum wage at the local level.
“Up to the time I was writing this reaction, there was no positive response from the NLC to this regard, only for the Governor to see the ultimatum on the pages of newspapers.
“This is not only immature of the NLC, but also irrational and astonishing.
“To let the public know, and understand the magnitude of the matter properly before passing unjust judgment on the person of His Excellency and his government, let me quickly recall what happened.
“A total figure of 36, 000 workers was presented to the Governor, being the figure of the staff working in the state local government service, as at the time he wanted to commence the implementation of the minimum wage at the local level. However, after thorough investigations, it was discovered that this figure was not only outrageous, but also unacceptable to the Government, as the figure consisted of married women who were not going to work, babies and children who have not even gone to primary school, retired personnel and ghost workers, all presented as active local government service workers.
“No Governor would at this material time accepts risking himself in using the meager public funds to pay into pockets of some few individuals at the expense of the bulk majority innocent citizens of his State.
“The Governor therefore challenges the NLC to bring the actual figure of the workers who are genuinely verified and honestly ascertained, he will commence the implementation.”
On the part of payment of retirees, the statement added, Zamfara State government under Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar (Shattiman Zamfara) was operating first come – first serve policy, stressing that it was due to the huge liability inherited by the administration.
To fast track payment of retirees their entitlements as and when due, it said, the government of Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar releases the sum of one Hundred Million Naira ( #100,000,000) every month for payment of pensions.
The statement observed, “On the issue of implementing promotion of local government workers, how can a sensible, reasonable and responsible government implement promotion of workers with such high percentage of ghosts and unqualified staff at this material time of bringing value for every kobo policy.
“So, let the Labour do honestly, what it was asked to do and come forward for the implementation. The doors of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara state Hon Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar is widely open for anybody who is willing to help Zamfara state grow and develop.”
The statement explained that the government of Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar had never failed to pay workers their monthly salary for a month, adding, “Since it’s inception in 2011 consistently, even before the release of bailout money by the federal government.”
