Jigawa Government not owning to any worker or pensioner

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa says his administration is not indebted to any worker or retiree as salaries and pension are always paid promptly.

Badaru stated this in Dutse on Wednesday when he received members of Nigerians Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NICCIMA), led by its National President, Dr Bassey Edem.

He said despite the dwindling revenue, his administration had ensured prompt payment of salaries and pensions to civil servants and retirees in the state.

The governor explained that the state government was able to achieve this through cost reduction in all its expenditures.Badaru added that the state government had N17 billion in its pension board, as such the entitlements of pensioners were secured.

He, however, lamented that he took over the state at a very challenging time, inheriting about N117 billion debt.The governor said that he met only N16 million in the retention account.

"I became the governor at a very challenging time; the retention account was exhausted; I inherited only N16 million in it.

“I also inherited about N117 billion debt and the revenue keeps dropping month after month but we were able to manage the situation. “he said.