Dust rises in Kano, as relationship between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and that of the State House Press Crew, and other working Journalists becomes low, as the Government failed to settle working allowances for the Press Crew for five months.
The Government House Crew Comprising Reporters, Photojournalists, and others including State Correspondents of other various Media Outfits who before now enjoyed monthly working allowances, were denied the allowance.
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Monthly allowances for working Journalists historically started during the Military when working Journalists were subjected to hazardous works that sometimes lead to their death and or having injuries.
However, since Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s inauguration on May 29, 2023, the government has repeatedly failed to honor its obligation of paying the press crew’s and other Working Journalists their monthly allowances.
This raises concern with some journalists within the government House press crew, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that their allowances have remained unpaid for five months, despite their persistent appeals to the government and their daily presence at work with the Government.
This failure has led to severe financial consequences for the affected journalists, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet. Several journalists have resorted to borrowing money to cover transportation and other expenses essential for their professional responsibilities.
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Such financial hardships create an environment in which journalists are vulnerable to compromise, potentially hindering the impartiality and objectivity of their reporting.
The delayed payments raise concerns about potential fears within the Kano State Government.
Sources within the government have cited inadequate budgetary allocation, bureaucratic red tape, and administrative inefficiencies as possible reasons for the delayed disbursements.
However, these explanations fall short in justifying the prolonged lack of payment, which undermines principles of transparency and accountability that the government is expected to uphold.
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The press crew’s role in raising awareness, informing the public, and holding elected officials accountable cannot be understated. Neglecting their welfare sends a troubling message about the government’s respect for journalistic integrity and hampers the ability of media professionals to perform their duties effectively.
None of the Government officials were ready to respond to the issues at hands
