The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Abdullahi Adamu, says he and his Deputy, Mr Lawrence Chukwu, would sacrifice half of their salaries or the less privileged.
Adamu this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
He said that it was in fulfillment of their promise to the people of AMAC during the election campaign and a demonstration of empathy for the people.
“We are coming in at a time when the area council is facing challenges in revenue and we have decided to forfeit half of our salaries for the duration of our tenure.
“We will also prevail on appointees like supervisory councillors and special advisers to make similar sacrifices because, essentially, we are here to serve the people, not to make money,’’
The chairman said that they had also agreed to forfeit their full salary for the first month in office, as a demonstration of empathy with staff of the area council.
He, however, said that the councillors were not duty bound to make similar sacrifices.
“As a demonstration of our empathy with staff of the council who are being owed about two months salaries, we have also decided to forfeit our salaries for the first month in office.
“Councillors are, however, not compelled to make similar sacrifices,’’ he said.
He said that the newly inaugurated leadership would seek ways to improve the revenue profile of AMAC, in order to make revenue available for capital and recurrent expenditures.
“We will ensure that we plug all loopholes through which revenue is being wasted in the past, and also synergise with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to boost our revenue.
“Issues of corruption and embezzlement will also be tackled because presently, we cannot afford any wastage.’’
He listed education, empowerment and security as priority areas where AMAC administration intended to focus on and urged members of staff to work for the success of the administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Adamu was officially sworn in as Chairman of AMAC last Friday. (NAN)
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