4th April, 2023
By Muhammad Nasir
A Coalition of Civil Servants in Sokoto on Tuesday disputed the claim of the state government that it had settled all the January and February salary arrears of workers in the state.
Sokoto State Commissioner for Information, Akibu Dalhatu, had in the statement claimed Governor Aminu Tambuwal had settled all February outstanding civil servants salaries with Banks.
He said the failure to settle the February salaries has nothing to do with the state government.
Dalhatu added it is a well known fact that the administration of Tambuwal in the state has never failed to pay civil and public servants salaries since it came into force in 2015.
“As far as the Tambuwal’s administration is concerned, it has paid the February 2023 salaries and allowances to all its workforce.
“Those who are yet to receive their February salaries, especially those that Bank with Guarantee Trust Bank, should visit their Banks and sort out the issues that delayed their payment with their Bankers,” he stated.
But while disputing the commissioner’s claim, the workers told journalists at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday that some workers in the state are still being owed February and March salaries.
The group led by Mr Ibrahim Musa, a staff of Shehu Shagari College of Education (SSCOE), said therefore said the statement made by the Commissioner that the state government is not owing any salary is misleading.
“It is because of the unrealistic statement that we are here to intimate the good people of Sokoto to put us in prayers for the government to find out ways of paying our entitlement.
“We heard lots of stories about our salary but for a whole serving Commissioner to falsely misinform the citizens on a serious and important life-saving issue like Salary, we cannot condone,” he said.
Musa further appealed to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal to retain his legacy by paying all civil servants their February and March salaries.
“This has been the practice of the governor since inception, as such we urge him to sustain the legacy.
“Moreso, we appeal on our father, the Sultan of Sokoto, and all other stakeholders in Sokoto to assist us toward ensuring our salaries are paid,” he urged.
The coalition further explained that a large number of the state workforce have not received their February salaries in the state.
“When we contacted our Banks as informed by the Commissioner, the story is different, because no bank can pay you without receiving the allocation from government,” the workers spokesman asserted.
(NAN)