The Kebbi State government has come under fire from civil servants who claim that Governor Nasir Idris failed to deliver on his promise to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000, leading to widespread disappointment among the workforce.
Civil servants had eagerly awaited their August salaries, expecting an increase following the Federal Government’s approval of the new wage structure, but were instead shocked to find that their paychecks reflected the old N30,000 minimum wage, with some reporting unexplained deductions.
A civil servant, who spoke anonymously to SaharaReporters, described the situation: “We were all hoping that the governor would make good on his promise to be the first to implement the N70,000 minimum wage. But when we received our August salaries, not only did we get the old wage, but there were also deductions that no one has explained.”
The civil servant shared his personal experience, stating, “For instance, my salary is N45,000, but N10,000 was deducted without any clear reason. After servicing my loan, I was left with only N5,000. Many of us, especially primary school teachers, had high hopes when the governor came on board, thinking he would prioritize our welfare, but we’ve seen no promotion implementation, no salary increment, and even basic needs like furniture in schools remain unmet.”
However, the state government has strongly denied these claims.
Ahmed Idris, the spokesperson for Governor Nasir Idris, denied any salary deductions and asserted that the governor had not only met but exceeded expectations in other areas.
“There was no deduction on salaries. It’s a lie. In fact, the governor has surpassed expectations by paying N100,000 and above to pensioners in the state. He also gave palliatives randomly to indigent families across the state,” Idris stated.
The government’s stance has done little to quell the unrest among civil servants, who also allege that federal resources, such as fertilizers meant for public distribution, have been diverted to benefit the governor’s political associates.
As the controversy continues, the Kebbi State government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of its civil servants, who feel betrayed by unfulfilled promises and unexplained deductions in a time of economic uncertainty.