Kano State Water Board workers, both permanent and casual, have launched an indefinite strike over the management’s refusal to implement a new N70,000 minimum wage and to regularize casual staff who have worked for over 10 years.
The workers, who are earning as little as N10,000, took to the streets and conducted special prayers, calling for divine intervention.
One anonymous staff member expressed frustration, saying, “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.”
Despite several meetings with the Water Board’s Managing Director, Mallam Garba Ahmed Bichi, the workers’ concerns remain unaddressed.
The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Haruna Doguwa, acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by the board, citing the discovery of over 160 ghost workers. Doguwa suggested that these ghost workers’ dismissal could free up funds to pay the new minimum wage.
“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,” a protesting worker revealed.
The strike continues, with workers vowing not to return to their posts until their demands are met, escalating pressure on the state government and Water Board management to resolve the situation.