'States may get broke again', Katsina state governor says

Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Katsina State has revealed that states may become broke again because of the plummeting price of crude oil.

The Governor said this at a foundation laying ceremony for construction of three blocks of 12 classrooms, office block and a computer centre at Kadandani Community Secondary School in Rimi Local Government Area of Kastina state.

He claimed that in three to six months’ time, states would find it hard to pay salaries of workers.

Read: Education gulps N22.2bn, Agriculture, N5.5bn of Kastina budget

“In three to six months’ time, some states will find it difficult to pay salaries due to fall in the price of oil in the market,” Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari said in Hausa.

Some governors have already indicated that they cannot continue paying the N18,000 minimum wage because of the harsh economic condition. They threatened to entrench workers if they are not allowed to reduce the salaries.

However, the labour unions have threatened a strike if the minimum wage was reduced. The unions challenged the governors to find alternative sources of income instead of relying solely on federal allocations. The labour unions also criticized the extravagant and flamboyant lifestyles of the governors.