From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has secured a confidence vote from the Coalition of Rescue Support Groups, for implementing the ₦70,000.00 new national minimum wage.
The group’s Coordinator, Rufai Ahmed Gusau, in a statement yesterday, pointed out that the action of the governor was a testament to his commitment to workers welfare and building a civil service that is transparent, efficient and fair.
According to Gusau, the new minimum wage would bring greater financial stability, improved service delivery and a better standard of living for all government employees, adding that it was a departure from the vicious cycle of salary bondage imposed on workers by previous administrations in the state.
“The coalition also applauds Gov Lawal for taking a bold step in cleansing civil service payroll of fraudulent practices, ensuring that hardworking and genuine employees are recognised and rewarded.
“Today, Zamfara State has 28,273 workers verified and cleared, while 2,363 ghost workers who were illegally receiving a total of ₦193,642,097.19 monthly have been removed from the pay roll. This has saved the state the sum of ₦200 million that will now be deployed to make Zamfara State great and prosperous again.
“Indeed, the governor’s “Rescue Mission ‘ campaign, now government slogan, is an eloquent testimony of his political sagacity and administrative acumen in salvaging Zamfara from political hirelings and reactionary forces that have impeded its development.
“With improved security and economic activities, Zamfara people now enjoy dividends of democracy and good governance. This is what democracy is all about.
“Coalition of Rescue Support Groups cognizant of Dr Dauda Lawal’s pragmatic, progressive, resourceful and purposeful leadership, hereby pass a vote of confidence in his leadership and government and urges citizens to support the administration in fostering unity, security, prosperity and infrastructural development. Together, we will build a better Zamfara State.
“We further urge all workers, union leaders, opposition parties and the good people of Zamfara to stand with the government in this unprecedented journey of reform, progress, development and advancement.
“It is a new dawn and a better future for the good people of Zamfara State,” he said.