Many people from across Yobe State have commended the Yobe State governor Hon Mai Mala Buni for the payment of sallah bonuses and salary to civil servants on the 13th June 2024 for the Eid-el-Kabir sallah celebrations.
A cross section of people have while commenting on the efforts said though the payment of the bonus and the salary was done for civil servants, the gesture has helped in enhancing business activities across the state.
Mustapha Mohammed, a resident of Damaturu the state capital said, “If not because of the payment of the salary by the Buni administration on the 13th of this month in addition to N10, 000 bonus on top of my salary, I don’t think I will be among those to perform the annual ritual.
“Look, you will not appreciate what the governor did unless you are in my position because the truth is things are not easy but what happened has saved many families like ours,” Mohammed reiterated.
Also, a ram seller, Hamidu Jauro said due to the payment, the ram and cattle markets witnessed unprecedented patronage especially on those that are of middle range price.
“I hardly sell two rams a day but immediately after the payment of salary by the governor things change making many of us and our family happy because the patronage of our rams means savour of our business capital.
“The most exciting part of the story is that the governor out of the little the state is earning from the federation account was able to pay an additional N10, 000 on top of every civil servant which helped them in meeting some of their family needs.”
Adamu Ashiru, a tomato and pepper seller said despite the high cost of the products, people were able to buy it depending on the level of the buyer attributing the patronage to the payment of the salary by the governor.
He said, “We have lost hope that people will not patronize us due to the high cost of tomato, pepper among other soup spices, but due to the payment of the salary and bonus by the government, the situation change forcing us to go extra mile to source for it to meet the demands of our customers.”
Also commenting through a telephone conversation, Alhaji Hamman, a trader in Potiskum said, “We were all surprised with the sharp increase in the number of buyers just to later understand that it was due to the payment of bonus and salary by the administration of governor Mai Mala Buni.
“The truth of the matter is, the efforts has really put smile on not only the faces of the civil servants and their families, but the entire people of the state because from a ram seller to those who sell chaff and traders among others all benefited from the purchases made for the sallah festivities due to the payments.
Governor Mai Mala Buni had in a release issued by the permanent secretary Public Service, office of the Head of Service Alhaji Bukar Kilo said Buni has approved the immediate payment of both state and local governments June salary before the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration.
The statement said the measure was meant to accord civil servants meet some of their needs during the celebrations.
“The recent Government decision to provide financial assistance to the State Civil Servants and Pensioners for the second time in a short period in these challenging times is a clear testament to His Excellency’s compassion and concern to Civil Servants.
“His Excellency’s swift action in payment of an additional N10, 000.00 and N5,000.00 to State and LGAs Civil Servants and Pensioners as well as ensuring that salaries are disbursed promptly showcases his commitments to upholding the dignity and livelihood of our public servants and their families.
“Indeed, we are very proud to be associated with His Excellency’s laudable policies and programmes aimed at enhancing the well-being of all citizens of Yobe State.”
