Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, has said his administration is not owing any worker salaries or retirees pension, as they are always paid as at when due.
He made the assertion in Dutse, the state capital on Wednesday when he played host to members of Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NICCIMA), led by its National President, Dr Bassey Edem.
Badaru noted that in spite of dwindling revenue, his administration had ensured prompt payment of salaries and pensions to civil servants and retirees in the state.
He said the state was able to achieve this feat by introducing cost-saving measures in all public spending even as he disclosed that the state pension board has N17 billion in its account.
Badaru, who emerged governor last year on the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC, sending the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, parking from the Jigawa Government House, however, lamented that he took over the state at a very challenging time.
According to him, as at the time he assumed office, Jigawa was indebted to the tune of N117 billion while only N16 million was left in the retention account.
He, however, said he has been able to “manage the situation” by cutting down wastages and blocking loopholes in governance.
