The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has bemoaned the inability of 33 states of the federation to pay salaries, commending the Enugu, Rivers and Lagos states.

The Conference noted that Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi deserves a special commendation for making it among the three, despite its status as a civil servant state, with low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

A recent BudgIT report had revealed that only Lagos, Rivers and Enugu were the states in the federation that can meet their recurrent needs.

According to the CNPP in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, Nigerian states must engage in prudent management of resources and reduce waste to be able to pay workers’ salaries.

“It is only a very prudent Governor that can adequately meet its recurrent needs in today's Nigeria due to dwindling revenue from the federation account. And for Enugu State, with its civil servant state status to be listed among the only three states in the country that can pay workers salaries as at when due deserves a special commendation,” CNPP said in the statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Conference urged Governor Ugwuanyi to ensure the state maintains its rating, even as the government continues it strive to ensure even infrastructural development of the state.

CNPP noted that “in view of the present economic realities, the 36 states of the federation must look inwards and be more innovative to ensure they meet their recurrent and capital expenditure.”

BudgIT, a data-simplifying civic organisation in its report said 33, out of the 36 states of the Federation, are unable to fulfill recurrent obligations.

•Photo shows CNPP Scribe Willy Ezugwu.

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