Kano State governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that the state government erred in accepting to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage to its workers, saying it is more honorable to admit the mistake than to implement a salary package that is unrealistic.

He believes there is “no reason to lie to anybody, but it should be understood that besides salaries, we are grappling with competing demands”.

According to him, his government has initiated packages for its 40,000 employees without them intimidating the administration, pointing out that agitating for salary increment is legitimate, but it should be done logically.

The governor was alluding to the recent strike embarked upon by the state civil servants to press home their demand for salary increment at the swearing – in of a new commissioner, Alhaji Idris Garba Mustafa, and seven new permanent secretaries at the Government House.

The governor, who promised that ANPP in Kano would continue to ensure job security and productivity, maintained that what his administration had done for the state civil service, has made it one of the most vibrant in the country.

He described Alhaji Idris, who was appointed as the state Commissioner for Science and Technology, as the appropriate appointee because of his competence.

The new permanent secretaries sworn - in included Umar Faruk Ibrahim, Ali Awwalu, Abba Ladan Kailani, Dahiru Musa and Abubakar Gwarmai. Others were Binta Rabi’u and Muhammad Bala A. Yaro.