The governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi, has said the voluntary slashing of salary by some state governors will not solve the current cash problems confronting many states of the federation.
Umahi stated this on Sunday, July 12, while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with the former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his hilltop residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.
He said the governors should rather do something that will make their states more viable and productive, The Punch reports.
Umahi said: " To me, this 50 per cent pay cut by some of the governors is not the way out of our present situation in the country. For instance, I earn N600,000 per month and if that is halved, I will take home N300,000 in a month. That is not the kind of money that will turn around the fortune of my people in Ebonyi State.
"I strongly feel we should go beyond that level; we should endeavour to re-invent our respective states to make them viable and more productive ."
He said the fall in oil prices which has resulted in a serious reduction in federal allocations should spur the governors to look inwards for alternative means to generate revenue in their states.
The governor pointed out that he was already taking steps to boost the state's internally generated revenue in order to fulfil campaign promises he made to the people.
He added that he would continue the good projects embarked upon by his immediate predecessor Martin Elechi and adjust where necessary so the people can enjoy the benefits of good government.
Obasanjo, who said he believed Umahi would perform well as governor, advised him to explore the agricultural potential of the state in the area of rice production.
Slashing of salaries has become the fad among elected office holders in the current dispensation. Some days back, President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced that they will take only 50% of their salaries .
Some state governors had earlier announced a cut in their monthly pay as part of measures to reduce expenses and save more money for the states.
Source: naij
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