By Aminu Garko
Kano,Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State on Friday ordered a probe into the alleged N1.5 billion deducted from workers’ salaries by the former Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa.
The governor gave the directive during the Workers’ Day march-past celebration while responding to an allegation raised by the Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kabiru Inuwa.
Yusuf said he had directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq-Ibrahim, to set up a committee to investigate the allegation.
He vowed that the government would take drastic action against anyone found culpable and ensure the money is refunded.
“I heard the chairman in his speech commenting on an allegation that the former Head of Service deducted some amount of money amounting to N1.5 billion.
“Immediately I heard this, I summoned the SSG and directed that an investigative committee should immediately be constituted to look into the allegation.
“And I want to assure you that if anybody is found to be involved, government is going to take very drastic action to ensure that the monies are refunded,” he said.
The governor said the government had settled N32 billion out of the N48 billion outstanding gratuities backlog inherited.
He promised to offset the remaining balance of N16 billion before the end of his administration.
“We inherited a backlog of gratuities and benefits amounting to over N48 billion, as was said by the NLC chairman during his speech. This placed immense hardship on retirees and the families of deceased workers.
“Through deliberate and sustained effort, we have so far settled N32 billion out of the total N48 billion, and we are committed, by the grace of Allah, to clearing it within the lifespan of this administration.
“Before the expiration of this administration, we should be able to settle all these obligations to all retirees. It is a clear demonstration of our resolve to uphold the rights and dignity of our workforce.
“In addition, we have maintained the prompt and full payment of salaries and taken bold steps to improve workers’ welfare.
“This administration has also established key institutions aimed at strengthening the welfare and professional development of civil servants. The creation of the Local Government Service Commission has ensured that the careers of local government employees are now aligned with the standards and progression obtainable in other arms of the public service.
“The government has also demonstrated its commitment not only in words but through concrete action. We have sustained pre-retirement training programmes to prepare officers for life after service, ensuring a smooth transition into retirement with dignity and self-reliance.
“We have also enhanced the welfare of retirees by increasing the minimum pension from N5,000 to N20,000, a development that has significantly improved the living conditions of our senior citizens over the past several months.
“Workers’ Day symbolises the historic struggles and aspirations of the working class and selfless service to humanity. Here in Kano, it reminds us that our workforce remains the engine room of governance and development.
“From the onset, this administration has recognised organised labour as a critical partner in progress. We have maintained a relationship built on mutual respect, open dialogue, and shared responsibility,” the governor said.
Earlier, the NLC Chairman, Kabiru Inuwa, appealed to the state government to investigate the allegation of N1.5 billion deduction against the former Head of Service.
Inuwa also appealed to the government to address the disparity in the salaries of local and state government workers to boost workers’ morale and uphold the principle of equality.
