Governor Muhammadu Badaru of Jigawa on Sunday said the state government was not indebted to workers and it was paying them salary promptly.
Badaru said this at the May Day celebration in Dutse.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, also said his government had been prudent in the management of the meager allocation from the Federation Account and able to pay salaries and run the other affairs of government.
“Since we took over the mantle of leadership in the state, our monthly allocation has been declining on monthly basis and last month is the least in the last 10 years.
“In spite this challenge of dwindling economy, this government has not taken any bailout from the Federal Government or commercial banks.
“I am sure this our challenge is temporary, as you know the test of governance is not when you have prosperity but when you have adversity and we shall overcome it,”he said.
The Governor called for understanding of the workers as his government was aware of their plight and would continue to do more on their welfare when things improved.
Earlier, the Chairman of the state branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),Malam Usman Ya’u, commended the Governor for the prompt payment of salaries, pension and leave grants to workers.
Ya’u also commended the implementation of five per cent leave grant to all workers in the state.
He, however, appealed to the state government to henceforth promote teachers to grade 16 in the civil service as it was applicable in other states.
He also urged the state government to recruit more teachers to carter for the growing population of the state.
