The Yobe State Government has inaugurated a Distribution and Monitoring Committee for the allocation of 5,000 Hunter Boxer motorcycles to civil servants under a loan scheme designed to ease transportation challenges and enhance workers’ welfare.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday in Damaturu, the Head of Service (HoS), Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu, said the initiative further demonstrated Governor Mai Mala Buni’s sustained commitment to the wellbeing of workers since assuming office in 2019.
Shehu noted that the Buni administration had consistently improved conditions of service through prompt payment of salaries, regular promotions, sponsorship of training and capacity-building programmes across cadres, as well as the introduction of succession planning in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to him, the motorcycle loan scheme was approved by the governor following a request by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yobe State Council, aimed at reducing the transportation burden faced by civil servants commuting to and from work.
The HoS explained that each motorcycle is valued at ₦1.5 million and would be repaid over a period of 25 months through monthly salary deductions.
He disclosed that while the initial monthly repayment was fixed at ₦60,000, Governor Buni approved a 20 per cent waiver, reducing the monthly deduction to ₦48,000 per beneficiary.
Shehu added that the waiver translates to a total government intervention of about ₦1.5 billion, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.
He expressed appreciation to the governor on behalf of civil servants in the state for prioritising their welfare.
The Distribution and Monitoring Committee, jointly constituted by the Office of the Head of Service and the NLC, is expected to ensure transparency, fairness and strict adherence to guidelines in the selection of beneficiaries.
Its responsibilities include monitoring the distribution of the motorcycles, distributing application forms to interested workers, identifying eligible beneficiaries, compiling and forwarding the list of qualified applicants for approval by the Head of Service, and ensuring proper implementation of repayment deductions through the Ministry of Finance.
The committee is chaired by Alhaji Shuaibu Ibrahim Amshi, Permanent Secretary, SWO, with Ado Idriss of the NLC as co-chairman.
Other members include Muktar Musa Tarbutu (NLC), Ali Usman (NASU), Mohammed A. Abba (NCSC), Baba Waziri (HoS), Alhaji Mele Goniri (HoS), Ya’u Ibrahim (HoS), Abba Bukar Umar (AUPCTRE), a representative of the Ministry of Justice, the Chairman of ASU, Isa Yusuf Garbi (NANNAM), and the Secretary of NULGE. Halima Shuwama (NLC) will serve as secretary of the committee.
Shehu said members were appointed based on merit and urged them to discharge their duties diligently in line with approved guidelines.
He then formally inaugurated the committee and prayed for divine guidance for the successful execution of its assignment.
