The Bauchi State Government has officially announced its decision to commence the payment of monthly stipends to both Imams and Pastors throughout the state.
The decision was reached during a meeting of the State Economic Council, chaired by Governor Bala Mohammed, which included various 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 stipends for Imams of Juma’at mosques and Pastors across various denominations.
While the specific amount of the stipend and the criteria for selecting beneficiaries were not immediately disclosed, the Head of Service emphasized the inclusive nature of the program.
He stated, “the issues of allowances for imams and pastors is irrespective of sects and denominations. The last step that we are going to take is to get the economic and financial implications for the implementations.”
In addition to the religious stipends, the council discussed the commencement of salary payments for newly created Emirs and District Heads, assuring that the government has secured the necessary cash flow for these payments.
Highlighting the state’s improved financial management, the Chief Economic Advisor, Yahuza Adamu Haruna, revealed that the administration had successfully identified and removed over 3,000 ghost workers from the payroll with the help of a consulting firm, saving Bauchi State over N4 billion.
Reflecting on the transition to a more efficient system, Haruna added, “As God will have it, in August 2024 we took over the salary payment of the state from a consulting firm, and the salary payment was full of complaints but since the exercise was done no body complaint again.”
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