Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has told civil servants in the state why minimum wage cannot be implemented despite agitations.
Matawalle explained that the number of civil servants in the state outweighs the resources at its disposal as over ₦1.6 billion of the state’s allocation is deducted from source to service the debts it inherited from the past administration.
He said this on Friday night when he hosted the leadership of all the 36 trade unions in the state under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress to the breaking of the Ramadan fast at his Gusau residence.
The governor told the civil servants that “Zamfara, which is one of the least collectors of monthly federal allocation has over ₦1.6 billion deducted from source to service the debts it inherited from the past administration.”
“Every month, the state is left with between ₦1.8 billion and ₦1.3 billion to pay salaries to its over 28,000 workers as well as to execute government’s activities,” he continued
He however assured them that he would not sack the workforce in order not to jeopardise homes and dependants.
Matawalle also commended the workers for their understanding and commitment to duty, assuring them that he would continue to meet their demands as well as pay their full monthly salaries without delay.
He enjoined workers in the state to look inwards, diversify and start businesses that would form a fall-back for them in retirement.
