By Khalifa JA’AFAR
The prevailing culture in Zamfara state governments involves consistent non-payment of workers’ salary, with no imminent shift in this pattern anticipated.
The ongoing salary issue in the state continues to be a significant concern, overshadowed by the persisting challenges of banditry and violence.
The origins of this problem trace back to the tenure of former governor Abdulaziz Yari, who exacerbated the situation by imposing a burden on state employees when the minimum wage was increased from 7,000 to 18,000 Naira during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Shortly after the increasment, the conflict between Ex-Governor Yari and the Zamfara state trade union intensified as they grappled over this salary predicament. Eventually, after a prolonged disagreement, the wage was raised to the minimum of 18,000 Naira. However, it’s important to note that this increase only applied to state government employees, leaving out primary school teachers and local government workers from its benefits.
The consequence of this selective salary adjustment is that the excluded groups, particularly primary school teachers and local government employees, have been trapped in stagnant wage conditions, reminiscent of the Obasanjo’s salary scale. The situation has led to considerable challenges and hardships for these workers.
Despite enduring meager wages, the government has shown a disregard for the pleas of these workers, and attempts at verification have only exacerbated the challenges. Instead of yielding positive changes, all these unended verifications have resulted in further delays in salary disbursement to the affected sectors.
In the previous governor’s tenure, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, the issue remained unaddressed, which at the end infuriated the workers to the point that they assembled at the Eid ground, seeking a solution to the unpleasant situation they were facing through prayers, instead of making the situation easier, alas, the situation worsened under the current administration led by Dauda Lawal.
The pressure on the lives of these workers has intensified, and their families are now struggling to make ends meet, facing hardships akin to beggars. Shockingly, these workers have not received any salary for about three months now, and there is no clear indication of when their overdue payments might be made.
It is imperative for the government to shift its focus and prioritize the well-being of these overlooked workers within the state’s ministries. Addressing their salary concerns should be a paramount concern, as it not only impacts the workers but also has broader implications for their families and the overall socio-economic landscape of Zamfara state.
