TheCable

Bukola Saraki, president of the Nigerian senate, has identified corruption as the reason why some state governors cannot pay the salaries of workers.

At least 18 state governments are owing their workers’ salaries, and Saraki said the vice was affecting the progress of the country, noting that the 8th assembly has made the fight against corruption a priority.

He was speaking on Monday when Ekpo Nta, chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), paid him a courtesy visit.

“The cost of corruption on our national life is beyond financial cost. You see in some states now that they are not paying salaries,” he said.

“It has also led to poor funding of the education and health sectors and it’s affecting cost of governance and failure of public institutions and infrastructure.

“The 8th senate has a position on zero tolerance for corruption. Making the fight against corruption a priority is a must and we are committed to that. Our goal is to work with you to reduce significantly, the level of corruption in this country.”

On his part, Ekpo pledged that ICPC would do its best to check graft in the country.