Masari instructs local governments to find funds to pay salaries

Katsina Governor Aminu Masari has asked incoming local government chairmen to find a way to increase revenue so that staff salaries can be paid.

“We will be holding local government elections in Katsina state very soon.” “Those chairmen and leaders coming in must understand that in order to pay their staff, they must improve revenue generation,” the governor said. “Those who are unable to pay their employees will have to face them and explain why they are unable to do so.”

Mr Masari made the announcement on Tuesday in Katsina, while answering questions from journalists.

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“In terms of funding the local government councils, it is true that almost all of the local governments were overstaffed when we came in,” the governor continued. “We attempted to verify the actual staff on the payroll through table payment, but what we were able to obtain was insufficient to reduce the local governments’ massive bill.” We also discovered that they all had legitimate appointment letters.”

Mr Masari went on to say that the previous administration had stopped paying over 2,000 dollars in salary.

“We looked into their cases, and some were given money, while others were integrated because that’s what they were promised during the campaign,” Mr Masari explained. “And, as you may be aware, oil prices plummeted as a result of this.” Local governments’ finances were also harmed as a result of this. You may recall that the federal government was forced to bail out the states.”

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He emphasized that “there are no industries” to employ people in Katsina.

“The civil service, either state or local government, is the only industry in Katsina state.” “Paying salaries and pensions is critical to the state’s economic survival,” Mr Masari admitted. “Some local governments have gotten out of the problem, while others are still working on it.”