By Rauf Oyewole
The Bauchi State Government has officially approved the payment of monthly stipends to Imams and Pastors across the state.
This decision was reached during a State Economic Council meeting presided over by Governor Bala Mohammed, which included key financial and revenue stakeholders.
Speaking to the press following a closed-door session, the Head of Service, Mohammed Sani Umar Esq and the Chief Economic Advisor to the Governor, Alhaji Yahuza Adamu Haruna, confirmed the new policy.
The Head of Service noted that the Governor approved the payments for Imams of Juma’at mosques and pastors of various churches regardless of sect or denomination.
While the specific amount of the stipend and the selection criteria for beneficiaries have not yet been disclosed, the council is currently finalizing the economic and financial implications for immediate implementation.
In addition to the clerical stipends, the council discussed the commencement of salary payments for newly created emirs and district heads.
The government confirmed that adequate cash flow has been secured to ensure the sustenance of these traditional offices.
On the matter of fiscal responsibility, Chief Economic Advisor Yahuza Adamu Haruna highlighted significant progress in the state’s salary administration.
He revealed that a recent collaboration with a consulting firm successfully identified over 3,000 ghost workers, a move that has saved the state over N4 billion.
Haruna further noted that since the state government took over salary disbursements from the consulting firm in August 2024, the process has been streamlined.
He emphasized that the transition has effectively eliminated the frequent complaints that previously characterized the state’s payroll system.
