The Director General of Media and Communication, Government House, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nuhu Anka, has said that Governor Dauda Lawal has salvaged the state from total collapse, having inherited a “bastardized, inflicted economy.”
In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna, Anka said that within a few months, “Governor Dauda Lawal used his vast experience as an economist to rebuild the state’s already bastardized economy.”
“He was able to pay the three months’ salaries owed to state civil servants and has also implemented the N30,000 minimum wage, which previous administrations refused to implement.
“He has also implemented the recent N70,000 national minimum wage.”
“Zamfara State is not owing anyone, both within and outside the country, while government policies and programs are going on unhindered—unlike in previous administrations when the state had to go cap in hand to borrow money to pay salaries,” he said.
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Responding to claims that the previous administration was unable to pay civil servants their three months’ salaries because banks refused to give loans on the orders of Dauda Lawal before he assumed office, Anka said the banks had independently decided to stop giving loans to the past administration “because it was bankrupt, and nobody would give you loans if they know you have no financial capacity to repay. That was exactly what happened—so don’t blame Dauda.”
“The people of the state are currently witnessing developmental projects both in rural and urban areas.
“Gusau, the state capital, is now wearing a new look and is competing with other major cities in the country,” he said.
He added that contrary to claims that Governor Dauda Lawal was not paying adequate attention to the security situation in the state, “this is laughable because everyone knows that the security situation in the state is far better at the moment.”
He said Governor Dauda Lawal is performing better than his predecessor on security, calling on critics to stop wasting their time, as no amount of blackmail or campaign of calumny could deter Governor Lawal from executing people-oriented projects.
“He has started well, and by the grace of God, he will finish well in both his first and second term in office. Dauda Lawal has come on a rescue mission, and the people of the state have started reaping the dividends of democracy,” he added.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE