Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has received commendation from the Coalition of Rescue Support Groups for swiftly implementing the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 for civil servants, marking a historic first since the state’s creation on 1 October 1996.
In a statement signed by the coalition’s State Coordinator, Alhaji Rufai Ahmed Gusau, the group hailed the move as a demonstration of Governor Lawal’s commitment to workers’ welfare and the establishment of a transparent, efficient, and fair civil service.
The wage increase is expected to provide greater financial stability, enhance service delivery, and improve the standard of living for government employees.
The coalition described the move as a break from what it called a ‘vicious cycle of salary bondage’ that had plagued civil servants under previous administrations.
Governor Lawal has also taken decisive action to cleanse the state’s payroll system of fraudulent practices. A total of 28,273 workers have been verified and cleared, while 2,363 ghost workers, who were illegally receiving ₦193,642,097.19 in monthly wages, have been removed from the payroll. This measure has resulted in cost savings of approximately ₦200 million, which the government plans to reinvest in development initiatives.
The coalition praised Governor Lawal’s ‘Rescue Mission’ campaign, now the government’s official slogan, as a reflection of his political acumen and administrative expertise in steering Zamfara towards progress. Improved security and economic activity in the state, they noted, have allowed citizens to experience the benefits of democracy and good governance.
Expressing confidence in the governor’s leadership, the coalition urged citizens, workers, union leaders, and opposition parties to support the administration’s reform agenda. They called on the people of Zamfara to rally behind efforts aimed at fostering unity, security, prosperity, and infrastructural development.
“The future is bright for the people of Zamfara,” the statement read. “It is a new dawn of reform, progress, and advancement.”
