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Accountant General (AG) of Nasarawa State, Yakubu Zakka, has sought a reduction in the cost of governance to enable the state to pay salaries, gratuities, pensions and other workers’ benefits.
He made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia, insisting that in view of the economic realities in the country, it had become imperative to cut down on the cost of governance and review the current revenue generation template.
Zakka noted that the federal allocation to the state in the past two months has been on the decline, hence the need to look inwards to better the welfare of workers who are the drivers of government.
His words: “In August and September, the federal allocation to the state reduced by N900 million with a huge drop in our internally generated revenue (IGR).
“We don’t know what may happen whether the allocation will drop or not and if it drops how do we continue to perform government obligations?
One good way to block leakages in government revenues, the AG observed, was to create a Treasury Single Account (TSA) account where all IGR could be collected for proper accountability.
He, however refuted allegations credited to him that he advocated reduction in salaries of workers in the state, adding: “I understand labor laws and therefore I can’t call for reduction of workers salaries without following due process by involving the labour unions.”
Meanwhile the leadership of organised labour in the state has enjoined workers to disregard the fake news making the rounds that salaries of public servants would be reviewed downwards.
State Chairman of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), Comrade Mohammed Iya, made the appeal shortly after confirming from the AG that the publication was false and a misinformation by some persons, who do not mean well for the state.
