As the state revenue declines due to Covid-19 pandemic, Kano state government has announced a 50% cut in the salaries of all political officeholders in the state. This was contained in statement issued by Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor on Sunday.
The halving of the salaries will take effect from May 2020. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the statement said the development was necessitated primarily by the decline in the price of crude oil in the global market which has caused a shortfall in the federation account allocation to states.
In April, the revenue of Federal Government dropped significantly and this drop trickled down to the states and local governments allocations. States saw it’s allocation cut in half, putting a significant strain on the finances of many states.
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“Due to shortfall in the federation account and collapse in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) because of COVID-19 challenges, all political office holders in Kano State are to receive half salaries with effect from May.
“There is also a serious setback in the IGR, due to COVID-19 pandemic challenges. Whereas almost all companies in the state are no longer in operation due to lock-down.
“Other areas where the state gets revenue are no longer operational. So, we have no other alternative than to take the steps we have taken,” he said.
At the state level, the governor, his Deputy, all Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants will be affected by the salary cut.
Those who will be affected at the Local government level includes the Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, Elected Councillors, Supervisory Councillors, Advisers and Secretaries of Local Governments.
Written by
Ifunanya Ikueze
