Throwback: Nasarawa Accountant-General Raises Concern Over Wage Bill, Seeks Reforms

The Accountant-General of Nasarawa State, Mr. Zakka Yakubu, had raised concerns over the rising wage bill of civil servants, calling for urgent measures to address what he described as an over-bloated salary structure in the state.

Yakubu made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation in Lafia, alongside management staff of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning.

He noted that the state’s high salary obligations were limiting government’s capacity to deliver critical infrastructure and essential services to the wider population.

According to him, Nasarawa pays one of the highest salaries in northern Nigeria, even surpassing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at certain levels.

He cited an example of a Level 13 officer in the state earning between ₦142,000 and ₦148,000, compared to about ₦93,000 for officers on the same grade level in the FCT.

Yakubu pointed out that civil servants account for only about four per cent of the state’s population, stressing that government must balance salary commitments with broader developmental responsibilities.

“When allocations are received from the federation account, a substantial portion goes into salary payments, leaving little room for infrastructure and other public services,” he said.

The Accountant-General also called for a review of existing revenue rates to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), describing current rates as outdated and inefficient.

He noted that in some cases, the cost of producing revenue receipts exceeds actual collections, citing examples such as low market levies and discrepancies in official charges.

Yakubu further advocated a reduction in tuition fees at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, to improve access to higher education for children from low-income families.

Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Aliyu Daogara (APC, Wamba), said the engagement was aimed at strengthening collaboration and gaining insights into the ministry’s operations.

He urged the Accountant-General to ensure the preparation of a realistic and development-driven budget for the 2020 fiscal year.