From: Tunde Omolehin, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has commended Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for the payment of outstanding gratuities, severance and furniture allowances to former council political office holders, amounting to N5 billion.
The beneficiaries included former and current chairmen and councilors, retired local governments workers, as well as primary school teachers.
Chairman of the association, Alhaji Aminu Ibrahim No-Delay, made the commendation in a statement, signed by the Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Zaki Bashire, and also the chairman of Tambuwal Local Government of the state.
The statement which was issued to newsmen in Sokoto quoted Ibrahim saying “the gesture of the governor indicated that he has the welfare of the people at heart.”
According to him, “the gesture will bolster productivity, efficiency and diligence in the provision of social services to the people of the state by civil servants and political office holders.
“It will also further renew the confidence of the people of the state in the commitment of the governor to improve the living standard of the people of the state.
“Similarly, the gesture of the governor will further boost the socioeconomic development of the state, as more money had been injected into the economy of the state and that of the country in general.”
The ALGON chairman further averred that, the gesture by Tambuwal would boost job security, reduce poverty, crimes and restiveness, among other social malaise.
In the same vein, it would further reduce corruption in governance, as workers in the state would no longer be apprehensive of life after retirement.
Ibrahim also appealed to the beneficiaries to utilize the money judiciously, as well as be wary of fraudsters.
“ALGON is hereby reiterating its resolve to continue to cooperate with Governor Aminu Tambuwal to ensure the success of the state government’s policies and programmes.
“The association is also calling on the people of the state to continue to be law abiding, as no development could be recorded without peace and unity.
“Serving workers in the state should also continue to be disciplined, law abiding and always respect the laid down civil service rules and regulations.” Ibrahim, urged.