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From Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed concern over the rising salary obligations of personnel in tertiary institutions across the state.
Zulum raised the concern at a meeting with heads of the state-owned tertiary institutions in the state yesterday at the Maiduguri Government House.
The governor noted that the current salary obligation of the state for personnel of tertiary institutions was not sustainable. He directed heads of the institutions to critically scrutinise all salary submissions to ensure they align with available resources and tertiary institutions’ guidelines.
“The wage bill is becoming huge and we cannot sustain this amount. Go and review it. I want you to review it within two weeks. I want you to review your submission,” he declared.
He disclosed that he initially contemplated setting up a verifications committee to scrutinise the wage bill. He said he, however, believes the tertiary institutions have the capacity to handle the verification.
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He noted that the government must balance payment of salaries with funding for development projects and student welfare.
He announced plans to move out male students of the Colleges of Nursing in Maiduguri from the current mix-hostel to another location within the city.
Zulum also said the government resolved to renovate the College of Legal and Islamic Studies in Maiduguri, support other state-owned institutions with infrastructure, transportation, students and staff welfare.
Earlier, the vice chancellor of the state university, Kashim Shettima University, Maiduguri, Prof Ibrahim Gutti, who led other heads, applauded the governor’s commitment to the growth of tertiary institutions in the state.
He rolled out some of the institutions’ requests, including salary review, improved funding, construction of staff quarters and rehabilitation of existing ones,
vehicles for students transportation and principal officers among others.
