The Incumbent Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday, May 29, 2015 during his inauguration which was abruptly halted by some angry youths, he pledged that he would be forfeiting half (50 percent) of his monthly income pending when the financial situation of the state improves.
The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, stated this in his inaugural speech after he was sworn in as Kaduna State Governor by Justice Tanimu Zailani, Chief Judge of the state.
He also disclosed that the slash in income would affect his Deputy Governor, Mr Barnanbas Bala.
El-Rufai further stated that his administration would “guarantee free and compulsory basic education for every child up to JS3, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.”
He mentioned that despite of the obstructions standing in the way of the state, his administration would also “focus on jobs, security, education, and healthcare.
“The fact is that today Kaduna State cannot meet its obligations without handouts from the federal government.
“We cannot comfortably pay salaries of our teachers and nurses and civil servants.
“And after struggling to pay salaries, we can do little else.
“We cannot fix the schools, help our farmers, repair our roads, or treat the sick. We have arrived at a dead end. The patient is sick, and it needs radical therapy,” Mallam Nasir El-Rufai stated.
He also stated that, “difficult decisions,” adding that political office holders must sacrifice the comfort of their offices for the greater good of all.
“In recognition of the difficult challenges we face, our deputy governor and I have concluded that the sacrifices that change requires must begin with us.
“We have decided to take a pay cut and donate 50 percent of our salaries and allowances, until our fiscal situation improves.
“We understand that leadership by example is the most persuasive way to demand sacrifices from all of us as citizens.
“We pledge to avoid ostentation and foolish bigmanism, and to value transparency, modesty and accountability.
On the challenges of security, the Kaduna State Governor stated he would work with law enforcement officials to drastically reduce violent crime in the state including “communal violence, cattle-rustling and armed robbery.”
“We will reform the administration of justice to ensure speedy conclusion of cases and send a clear message that there will be sanctions for unlawful conduct.”
Finally, He pleaded people of the state to collide with his aspirations in order to enable the administration deliver on its promises.
