[PROMISES] El-Rufai and his Deputy will forfeit 50% of their salaries

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State on Friday said he would forfeit 50 per cent of his salary pending when the financial situation of the state improves The Punch reports.

The governor stated this in his inaugural address, after he was sworn-in by the state Chief Judge, Justice Tanimu Zailani in Kaduna.

El-Rufa’i also declared that the administration would “guarantee free and compulsory basic education for every child up to JS3, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.”

“The fact is that today Kaduna State cannot meet its obligations without handouts from the federal government.

“We cannot comfortably pay salaries of our teachers and nurses and civil servants.

“And after struggling to pay salaries, we can do little else.

“We cannot fix the schools, help our farmers, repair our roads, or treat the sick. We have arrived at a dead end. The patient is sick, and it needs radical therapy.”

On taking a pay cut

“In recognition of the difficult challenges we face, our deputy governor and I have concluded that the sacrifices that change requires must begin with us.

“We have decided to take a pay cut and donate 50 percent of our salaries and allowances, until our fiscal situation improves.

“We understand that leadership by example is the most persuasive way to demand sacrifices from all of us as citizens.

“We pledge to avoid ostentation and foolish bigmanism, and to value transparency, modesty and accountability.

On security

“We will reform the administration of justice to ensure speedy conclusion of cases and send a clear message that there will be sanctions for unlawful conduct.”

He therefore solicited for maximum support from the people of the state to enable the administration deliver on its promises.El