7 hours ago
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Both the permanent and casual staff of the Kano State Water Board have embarked on an indefinite strike and conducted Alqunut (special supplication) prayers in protest against the management’s refusal to implement the N70,000 minimum wage and confirm the casual staff.
Arewa PUNCH observed that the workers took to the streets, demanding the immediate approval of the new wage structure and the regularisation of casual employees who have served for 10 years are on N10,000 salaries.
Among others, their grievances are directed at the Managing Director (MD) of the Water Board, whom they accuse of ignoring their plight despite repeated negotiations.
A protesting staff member who spoke with Arewa PUNCH on condition of anonymity for fear of being punished stated that the refusal to implement the wage increase has worsened their financial struggles, especially amid the rising cost of living.
“We work tirelessly to ensure that Kano residents have access to clean water, yet we are not being treated fairly. Many of our casual workers have been here for 10 years without confirmation, and it’s unacceptable.
“We have met with the MD, the Permanent Secretary, and even the Commissioner for Water Resources about four times, but nothing has changed so far. It’s been four months now. Since November 2024, we haven’t received the new minimum wage,” the worker lamented.
Our correspondent further observed that the workers also organised Alqunut prayers, seeking divine intervention over their situation. The prayer session, held at the Water Board premises in Kofar Nassarawa, saw employees raising their hands in supplication, calling for justice, and urging authorities to address their concerns urgently.
Efforts to reach the Managing Director, Mallam Garba Ahmed Bichi, for comments were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to his known mobile number.
However, Arewa PUNCH gathered that the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Haruna Doguwa, engaged with the staff in a closed-door meeting.
A credible source who was a part of the meeting told our correspondent that the commissioner criticised the board’s poor revenue performance as one of the reasons for its inability to pay the minimum wage.
Further emphasising the issue, he revealed that over 160 ghost workers had recently been identified within the board. He then asked whether the board would agree to their dismissal so that the recovered funds could be used to pay the minimum wage.
He also assured that once the crisis is resolved, the management will consider hiring new staff, with priority given to casual workers.
As the strike continues, not a few of the workers have vowed not to return to their duty posts until their demands are met, thus putting pressure on the state government and the Water Board management to find a lasting resolution of the crisis.
