Every state can pay salaries, Anambra ex-gov insists

With prudence and rational prioritisation, every state can comfortably pay salaries and engage in other developmental activities, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has maintained.

Speaking yesterday at the 17th Annual Convention of Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) in Enugu, Obi stoutly disagreed that Nigerian states were incapable of meeting their financial obligations to workers.

Obi, who bagged the “Best Governor Ever” award, said those in government spend a lot of money on things that were not necessary, while running out of money for projects that would enrich the people.

Citing himself as an example, the former governor said while in office, he did not keep guest houses, charter planes, travel with more people than necessary, fly Business Class, use bullet-proof vehicles, among others, thereby saving billions to offset close to the N40 billion arrears in pension and gratuity and others for developmental projects.

“If any governor finds it difficult to pay salaries, let him consult me and I will freely and willingly divulge the secrets to him,” he stated.