The governor of Zamfara State Dauda Lawal has announced the immediate suspension of all non-statutory deductions from the salaries of civil servants.
The decision was taken in response to complaints from workers about multiple deductions being made through the state payroll system.
In a statement made by the spokesman of the governor, Suleiman Idris, the suspension aims to address concerns raised by employees regarding deductions such as cooperative association fees, loan repayments, and other similar charges.
“In his resolve to sanitise the Zamfara State Payroll system for more efficient management of state civil servants’ remuneration, currently inundated with a lot of unauthorised and illegal deductions, Governor Dauda Lawal has ordered an immediate halt to all non-statutory deductions from workers’ salaries.
“The decision was made due to numerous complaints about deductions from workers’ salaries, some of which were used to facilitate an illegal surcharge of the workers in the name of cooperatives and commodity loan repayments.
“Governor Lawal has instructed the Commissioner of Finance to stop all of such deductions from workers’ salaries and to communicate the same information to all cooperative societies and other commodity vendors,” he said.
According to the statement, the only approved deductions are: PAYE; union dues; NHF; ZAMCHEMA; water rate; FMB [Rent to Own], FMB [Home Renovation], and Housing Corp Loan.
Mr Idris noted that the present administration is committed to implementing measures that support the welfare and development of the civil servants.
“This includes enhancing working conditions, providing necessary resources, and creating a conducive environment to ensure a highly competent, motivated, and productive workforce,” the statement added