Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano yesterday slashed his salary and that of his deputy and other political appointees by 50 percent.
The move, he said, was to “enable us get enough for the development of the state. We also want to rescue the state from the harsh realities facing the entire country.”
The governor at the swearing-in of the 13 commissioners at Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kofar Mata, Kano, yesterday, pledged that his administration would make “sure that this government is transparent and accountable.”
He vouched for the competencies of the new appointees, saying they were brought on board because of their track record and credibility.
“We shall make sure that the change we fought for through our votes during the last election is applied in all sectors of our governance,” he said.
He solicited the cooperation of the people of the state and promised to continue paying the salaries of workers in the state.
Among the newly sworn-in commissioners are the outgoing President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba, who was allocated the Information, Youths, Sports and Culture portfolio and the immediate chairman of the Association of Local Government s of Nigeria (ALGON), Murtala Sule Garo, who is now the Commissioner of Local Government.
Deputy Governor Hafiz Abubakar, a professor, will oversee the ministry of education, science and technology, while Alhaji Rabi’u Bako is Commissioner for Commerce and Industry.
The rest are: Dr Ali Bukar Makoda (Environment), Haruna Shehu Lambu (Works and Housing), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna (Agriculture), Kabiru Dandago (Finance), Usman Sule Riruwai (Water Resources), Haruna Falali (Justice), A’sha Bello (Women Affairs),and lbrahim Kabiru Getso (Health).
Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State was the first to cut his salary and that of other political appointees in the state by 50 per cent.
NATION
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. See, it is possible so come on all you other Governors, put your money where your mouths are. Back your words with action.