I Inherited Empty Treasury,Huge Debts but We’ve Put Zamfara on Development Highway

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has enthused on progress made by his administration since taking office and gave himself.a.pass mark.

The governor painted a grim picture of the state’s condition when he first assumed power, citing widespread insecurity, a failing education system, and a healthcare sector in shambles.

According to Governor Dauda, the state’s treasury was empty, with a meager 4 million naira inherited from the previous administration. The state was also saddled with significant liabilities, including a backlog of unpaid salaries, amounting to 1.6 billion naira, and outstanding debts to judiciary staff.

Despite these challenges, the governor declared a state of emergency in education and healthcare, recognizing the need for urgent intervention. One of his first actions was to settle the backlog of salaries, which had been owed to civil servants for over four and a half months.

To address the education sector, Governor Dauda entered into agreements with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) to enable students to sit for exams and obtain their certificates. This move has been hailed as a significant step towards improving education in the state.

The governor also tackled the issue of water scarcity, which had plagued the state for five months prior to his assumption of office. In a remarkable feat, his administration was able to restore water supply within just three days.

In addition to these achievements, Governor Dauda has also made significant strides in improving the welfare of civil servants. He increased the minimum wage from 7,000 naira to 30,000 naira, and later to 70,000 naira, bringing it in line with the national minimum wage.

The governor also cleared the backlog of pension payments, which had accumulated since 2011, totaling 16.5 billion naira. This move has brought relief to thousands of pensioners who had been waiting for years to receive their entitlements.

In the education sector, the governor’s administration has renovated over 400 schools across the 40 local governments of the state, providing students with conducive learning environments. The government has also settled outstanding liabilities, including scholarship payments to students studying in Sudan, India, and Cyprus.

Governor Dauda’s efforts have been widely praised by residents of Zamfara State, who have witnessed significant improvements in their lives since he took office. The governor’s commitment to addressing the state’s developmental challenges has raised hopes for a brighter future for the people of Zamfara.