Kaduna Lawmakers, Public Office Holders Urged To Cut Down Salaries, Allowances

Fatimah Abdullahi

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has appealed to members of the state House of Assembly and other senior public office holders to take a cue from him by cutting down their salaries and allowances to enable the state generate enough funds for development.

El-Rufai made this appeal while addressing the lawmakers during a working visit to the Assembly complex.

The governor in his address lamented that 80 per cent of the state resources ‎was spent on salaries and allowances of civil servants and political office holders, while only 20 per cent was left for capital projects.

He also told the lawmakers that the high cost of governance in the state had been a major hindrance for massive infrastructural development across the state, stressing the urgent need to cut down on recurrent expenditure for development and provision of social services to thrive.

While informing the lawmakers about the poor state of Kaduna State economy based on his findings since assuming office, the Governor emphasised that the change the people voted for could only be realised if public officials would be prudent and transparent in their spending.

According to the governor, although the three arms of government are independent in structure, they are also inter dependent and therefore must work closely for the development of Kaduna state for future generations.

Responding, the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Aminu Shagali, expressed readiness to work with the State government and commended the Governor for visiting the Assembly complex.

The governor and his Deputy had during their inauguration announced a 50 per cent cut in their salaries and other allowances.