While other states grapple with a backlog of unpaid salary arrears, Kebbi state civil servants are paid as and when due on a monthly basis by the state government since Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu became governor of the state in 2015. Bagudu’s welfare policy in Kebbi state has helped to create a conducive working environment for the workers in the state.
Gov. Bagudu, having realised that good welfare policy provides better physical and mental health to workers and thus promotes a healthy work environment, made Kebbi state one of the first few states in Nigeria that implemented the new National Minimum wage of N30,000. Even with the lean resources of the state, the governor took the bull by the horns and approved the new wage ahead of other more buoyant states in the federation, with some states yet to do so. Perhaps, this explains why there is still steady industrial harmony in the state between the state government and the NLC.
Without doubt, in the last few years and Badugu being the Governor of Kebbi state, he has enhanced the standard of living of the workers, which affects the worker’s psychology and results in an increase in their productivity. Beyond providing a conducive environment for workers in the state, the pension of retired civil servants is being paid monthly, while his government is also gradually defraying the gratuity of retired civil servants. To Bagudu’s credit, he approved the release of N2 billion as payment of outstanding gratuities to retired civil servants in the state.
Gov. Bagudu, beyond providing a conducive environment and good welfare package for the people of the state, has also provided employment opportunities for the teeming youth in the state, especially through his agricultural policy. As part of efforts to make the state number one in agriculture, the Bagudu government purchased 225 trucks of assorted fertilisers and distributed them to the state farmers at government’s approved prices since the inception of his administration. At the inception of his administration, Bagudu introduced commercial agriculture loans for the benefit of Kebbi state farmers; he earmarked N5 billion as loan to farmers.The governor constituted a committee on agricultural revival in the state to enhance agricultural production and approved N3.5 billion for the purchase of rice and wheat from the state farmers.
Gov. Bagudu ensured that youths are engaged in farming activities, through the provision of agricultural loans to boost agriculture in the state, established IFAD country programme on climate change adaptation and agric business support programmed in the state where the counterpart funding of N40.55 million was paid by the state government.
Indisputably, unemployment especially amongst the youths makes life insecure, and this being the reason for Gov. Bagudu’s drive for massive employment of the youths in the state. Kebbi state, under the leadership of Bagudu over the years has enjoyed relative peace and stability even with the current security challenges facing the country. This achievement is what many observers across the country have attributed to his mannered policy which has provided means of livelihood to the teeming population of the state. Also, the governor’s routine support of security agencies in the state especially in the areas of logistics and working materials on a monthly basis is another notable factor for a secure environment in the state. And this being the reason, the National Bureau of Statistics judged the state to be the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
To ensure security of lives and property of all citizens in the State, the Bagudu administration participated in a joint security operation covering the Kamuku/Kuyambana forest involving seven states of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Niger and Katsina. In an operation code named Operation Sharan Daji involving the Nigeria Army, Police, Air-force and other security operatives in a combined operation that rid the state of cattle rustlers and halted criminal activities like kidnapping. Through operation Sharan Daji a number of cattle and livestock were recovered and returned to the owners with hundreds of suspected criminals arrested and cache of arms and ammunition retrieved.
On kidnapping, especially in Kebbi South Senatorial District, the present administration has through the efforts of security operatives in the state tackled the menace. Today farmers in the area go about their normal business without any fear. Realizing the importance of peace to the development and progress of the state, the administration of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has resolved the age long border dispute between Benin Republic and communities in Kebbi state and also wadded into herders/farmers disputes across the state by identifying and institutionalizing the old cattle routes and grazing reserves.
Adubi, writes from Kaduna
