The Zamfara State government on Wednesday ordered the immediate suspension of all non-statutory deductions from civil servants’ salaries.
It directed that deductions related to cooperative associations and commodity vendors be stopped immediately.
Governor Dauda Lawal’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, stated in Gusau that the decision followed complaints from workers regarding unauthorized deductions from their salaries.
Idris explained, “In his effort to sanitize the Zamfara State payroll system for more efficient management of civil servants’ remunerations, which has been inundated with numerous unauthorized and illegal deductions, Governor Dauda Lawal has ordered an immediate halt to all non-statutory deductions from workers’ salaries.”
The directive also covers halting deductions used for illegal surcharges through cooperatives and commodity loan repayments.
“The decision follows numerous complaints about deductions from workers’ salaries, some of which were used to facilitate an illegal surcharge in the name of cooperatives and commodity loan repayments.
“Governor Lawal has instructed the Commissioner for Finance to stop all such deductions from workers’ salaries and to relay the same information to all cooperative societies and commodity vendors,” he said.
Idris specified that, under the new directive, only statutory deductions are permitted, including PAYE, union dues, NHF, ZAMCHEMA, water rates, and loans under FMB’s Rent-to-Own and Home Renovation schemes, as well as Housing Corporation loans.
“The present administration in Zamfara State is committed to implementing measures that support the welfare and development of civil servants.
“These include enhancing working conditions, providing necessary resources, and creating a conducive environment to ensure a highly competent, motivated, and productive workforce,” he assured.