Govt workers consume 90% of Kaduna State resources, says El-Rufai

KADUNA—Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State
yesterday said 90 per cent of the state revenue
was being spent on public servants in the state,
saying there was an urgent need to raise more
funds internally.
This came as hundreds of physically-challenged
and street beggars, stormed the state Government
House, protesting against a law passed by House
of Assembly banning begging and hawking in the
state.
The governor, who spoke while inaugurating
Boards of five newly created Agencies and
Parastatals in the state, said: “We promised to
make this state attractive to private investors who
can create multiple of the few direct jobs. Less
than 100,000 persons are employed in the public
service of Kaduna State, out of a population that is
between 8 million and 10 million.
''The wages of these fewer than 100,000 workers
are relatively low, but together consume about 90%
of state resources. In March 2016, Kaduna State
got N2.4 billion from the Federal Accounts
Allocation Committee. That same month, our wage
bill was N2.2 billion.
''That leaves only N200m. When you add
overheads to this, you get a full picture of the dire
financial situation that low revenue and public
service expenses have placed the state."
Meanwhile, the protesting beggars thronged the
gate of Government House, displaying placards
with various inscriptions and chanted anti-
government slogans.
The protesters, who were prevented by armed
policemen from gaining access to the Government
House, expressed disappointment that alleged an
agreement reached between Governor El-Rufai
before and after he won election, was betrayed with
the enactment of the law, without palliatives.
“We are saying that a Commission for disable
persons be formed first before El-Rufai should
make begging and hawking illegal in the state,”
said Ahmed Saidu, a cripple who spoke in Hausa
to Vanguard at the scene of the protest.
“The Commission will have all kinds of alternative
means of lively hood for us, since most of us have
been trapped by our conditions in this part of the
country into becoming beggars. We will be very
happy not to beg, if we have a choice. But, now,
does he want us to starve to death?,” he charged.
Later 10 representatives from various physically
challenged groups were allowed into the
government house to met with the governor.
How at the time of this report, representatives of
the protesters were still inside Sir Ibrahim Kashim
Government House.