Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, on Tuesday ordered the immediate payment of annual leave grants to all categories of workers in the state.

He gave the order while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kebbi chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

Signing the order in the presence of the union leaders, the governor instructed that payment should commence on Wednesday, insisting that all categories of workers from State, Local Governments and LGEAs must be paid a uniform of 10 per cent of their annual pay.

Idris lamented that as an insider, he knew that previous administrations used to pay seven to eight per cent to some categories of workers while only few got 10 per cent.

On palliatives, he admitted, “nobody could deny the fact that people are hungry,” saying that he iis a member of the presidential committee which had already rolled out modalities on how to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.
The governor said that he had so far received N2 billion from the N5 billion promised by the Federal Government.
Idris promised that the state government and its 21 Local Government Councils would add between N3.5 and N4 billion to buy grains for onward distribution to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal.

He assured the unions that NLC would be given its fair share separately for onward distribution to its members, advising: “I don’t want you to assume but believe that this is your government.”

Idris reminded them that the present administration had already started projects that have direct bearing to the lives of the common people, adding, “works to give the state capital a befitting outlook just like any other state capital in the country are on course.”