Katsina govt to pay ward heads salary – Masari

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua Katsina

The Katsina state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari has agreed in principle that ward heads in Katsina state are to be paid salaries.
This followed a complaint to that effect by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmummini kabir Usman during the popular ‘Hawan Sarki or Hawan Bariki’ held at old Government House, Katsina.
The Governor maintained that salaries would only be paid to ward heads, if their establishment would be limited to the existing number of polling units, which is a little over 4,600 in the state.
Masari explained that if the establishment of the ward heads is to be left in the hands of District heads, the number would be such that the state government could not afford to pay.
He agreed with the Emir that since most of the implementation of government policies and programmes rest on the ward heads, there was need for them to be properly remunerated.
Governor Masari therefore assured the Emir that the current administration would work closely with the Emirate council to create the Ward heads in the state.
Turning to the drugs related offences mentioned by the Emir, the Governor observed that there was need for lawmakers at both federal and state houses of assemblies to legislate and remove the offences from being bailable,adding that lawyers providing protection to drug barons are not helping the society either.
Masari however believed that for the war against drug abuse to be won, the fight must begin from homes.
He said “Parents and husbands must begin to show more interest in the movement of children and wives” , stressing that government had been receiving negative reports of how drugs are being marketed in homes by unscrupulous women in the guise of selling wares and materials in homes while in actual sense, their bags contains hidden drugs.
He therefore admonished parents and husbands to monitor and stop such misconduct by women in the society .
The governor also spoke at length on the misuse of social media by youths in the state and called for concerted efforts to reverse the ugly trend.
Alhaji Aminu Masari also spoke on the “Go back to Farm” of the current APC administration, stressing that 80% of the state population depend on agriculture for not only subsistence but economy.
The Governor observed that the federal government agricultural programme had started yielding positive results as fertilizer in the open market is now cheaper than the commodity being sold by government.
He stated that even the recent visit of president Muhammad Buhari to Morocco was in connection with agriculture, adding that there was need for people to stop importation of food items or smuggling of same for farming to add value in the country.
The Governor expressed gratitude to the Emir for the support and cooperation being enjoyed by the current APC administration in not only the state but the federal government.
He said even Mr President is aware of the numerous prayers for the success of his administration.