Use bail-out fund to pay workers’ salary arrears, forum urges Zamfara govt.

A forum of civil servants in Zamfara has appealed to the state government to offset all salaries owed workers with the bailout fund it received from the Federal Government.

This appeal was contained in a communique issued by the forum and signed by its Chairman, Luqman Majidadi, and Secretary, Ashafa Garba.

The communique, which was issued at the end of its seventh general meeting held in Gusau, was made available to journalists.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was formed in May, 2014, by young employees of the state government who were then employed with the aim of reducing unemployment in the state.

NAN also reports that the forum is, however, currently aggrieved following the non payment of salaries to the members since they were employed 15 months ago.

The forum, in the communiqué, also urged the state government to use the over N10 billion it received as bailout fund to pay members of the forum their entitlements.

It urged the state governor to approve the payment of their 15 months unpaid salaries without further delay.

The forum recalled that since their engagement into the state’s public service was carried out in the presence of traditional rulers, law makers, security agents as well as the media and leaders of thought.

It commended all members for their patience and restraint, assuring that they would continue to agitate for the payment through right channels.

The forum also appealed to the state government to receive and implement the report of the Dansanda Maru-led Recruitment Review/Screening Committee it set up about seven months ago to ascertain the forum’s case.