Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has said his administration’s prudent financial management and fiscal discipline have put the state in a position to pay workers’ salaries and pensions for five consecutive months without relying on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
Idris made the disclosure on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi at the opening of a health workers’ summit organised by the Kebbi State Assembly of Health Workers.
The assembly comprises the Medical and Health Workers Union, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, laboratory technicians and the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria.
The governor, a former National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and former deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, said he remained a labour leader at heart and would not disappoint workers in the state.
“I will not let you people down or disappoint you. I’m still one of you. Immediately I assumed office as executive governor, I lifted the embargo on employment and recruited 5,166 new workers into the civil service, including doctors, health workers and nurses,” he said.
Idris said his administration had significantly improved the state’s health sector while implementing the new consolidated salary structure for doctors and other health workers.
“With or without funds from FAAC, I will be able to pay salaries and pensions for five straight months because my administration has maintained prudent financial management and discipline,” he said.
On the new minimum wage, the governor said Kebbi would be among the first states to implement the agreed salary structure following the conclusion of negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.
“After negotiations on the new minimum wage between labour and the Federal Government, Kebbi State under my administration will be among the frontline states to effect payment,” Idris said.
