It’s a disgrace 27 states can’t pay salaries –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said it was a disgrace that 27 out of the 36 states of the federation cannot pay salaries of their workers, despite all the income they have been getting over the years.

The President who said this while addressing presidential villa staff in Abuja also urged Nigerian workers to dedicate themselves more to their duties than yield to the temptation of taking government property.

Despite the hardship workers face as a result of unpaid salaries, the president warned them that anyone planning to make such a move had better learnt from the experiences of those currently facing prosecution over various allegations.

He said all fraudulent activities must stop, adding that those in doubt about the efficacy of his administration’s anti-corruption war should ask those caught so far with public funds.

He said, “We haven’t touched anybody who did not touch public funds, you should behave yourself,” the president told the workers. “If you don’t have houses in Abuja and the whole of Europe, you will sleep soundly.

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“You and your family will earn respect. But, if you short-change the treasury, you will be caught and I pity your family, because people will be abusing them. People will be calling you big thieves; that how did you raise money to build all the houses in Abuja and Europe with your meagre salary.

“I think personal integrity is something to be encouraged. I assure you that I am absolutely dedicated to serve Nigeria. Those who behave themselves will never regret. But, those who don’t behave themselves, is their problem.

“This exercise (anti-corruption war) will continue as long as this leadership is here. Whoever takes anything that does not belong to him, or that he is not entitled to, it will be documented and the person will be taken to court. This is the only way I think we can bail ourselves out,” the president said.

The meeting was the first President Buhari have had with Aso Rock staff.