A civil society organisation, the Coalition of Zamfara Youths, has strongly criticised Governor Dauda Lawal for removing 2,363 workers from the state’s payroll. The group described the action as unjust and detrimental to security in the region.
According to Dr Umar Jelaludeen, chairman of the coalition, the government’s claim of ghost workers is baseless.
“What Governor Dauda has done is purely an act of wickedness. There is nothing like ghost workers,” he said.The
coalition faulted the government for not conducting a screening exercise to verify the existence of ghost workers before making the decision.
“We are in Zamfara State, and there has been no official announcement of any screening,” Jelaludeen added.The
group praised former Governor Bello Matawalle for his fair treatment of civil servants during his tenure. “Under Matawalle’s administration, there were no mass sackings.
Instead, he created employment opportunities, appointing 8,000 young people into his government,” the coalition
stated.The coalition alleged that the sacking of workers was a deliberate move to deny civil servants their wages and divert funds for private use.
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“Why sack these workers, knowing fully well that they have nothing to feed on?” the coalition asked.The group warned
that such actions could deter investors from coming to Zamfara due to heightened insecurity and economic
instability. “We have been complaining about insecurity in the state, and this is one of the reasons investors are reluctant to come,” the coalition said.
The Zamfara State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also protested the sackings, accusing the governor of dismissing more than 8,000 workers and failing to implement the national minimum wage in the state.
The NLC’s protest has added to the growing labour crisis in Zamfara, with many calling for Governor Lawal to reconsider his decision. The coalition has urged the governor to reinstate the workers, citing the need for job creation and economic stability.Key Phrases: Zamfara Labour Crisis, Governor Dauda Lawal
