Regular salary payment saved state from worse economic condition

iyebiye olawuyi

May 2, 2017 3:59 PM

Kukuri, who is also the state Chairman of the National Conscience Party, made the assessment in an interview in Damaturu.

The Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council IPAC in Yobe Alhaji Umar Kukuri

Alhaji Umar Kukuri, Yobe Chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council, on Tuesday said that the state government’s commitment to regular payment of salaries saved the state from worse economic situation.

Kukuri, who is also the state Chairman of the National Conscience Party, made the assessment in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Damaturu.

He said: “The protracted security challenge left the state with salary as the only vibrant source of income because farmers abandoned their farms for several years."

“Imagine a situation where government failed to pay salaries; it would have worsened the ailing economy and the condition of the people."

“Therefore, Yobe Government needs to be commended and encouraged to sustain the commitment to regular payment of salaries and retirement benefits.’’

Kukuri urged that the commitment should be replicated in providing farm inputs to promote food security, economic recovery and rehabilitation.

“As opposition parties, we have a duty to give honest suggestions to the government, encourage it in areas where it has performed, and criticise where it failed, for the collective interest of the state."

“This is how we can promote a healthy competition among parties for the betterment of our state.”

He decried the attitude of politicians, who showed interest in the state only during elections.

According to the chairman, such politicians abscond after elections and re-appear in the next round of elections.

“Our level of patriotism should go beyond politics and seeking public offices and get to the level of seeking collective interest of Yobe people,” he said.

The chairman called on the state government to accept constructive criticisms to be able to perform better.

“That is why we are in politics to develop our state and improve the lives of our people,” he said.

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