By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved a major increase in rural allowances for healthcare workers, granting a 100 per cent increment for medical doctors and a 40 per cent increase for nurses and midwives serving in rural communities across the state.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during an extensive inspection tour of critical projects in the northern part of Borno State.
Governor Zulum visited Government Secondary School (GSS), Gubio; two general hospitals; and ongoing housing estate projects in Gubio and Magumeri Local Government Areas.
Explaining the rationale behind the incentive, the Governor said the measure was aimed at addressing the persistent shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas, a challenge that has remained a top priority for his administration.
“On investigation, I discovered that many of our medical doctors prefer to work with international non-governmental organisations due to better remuneration. As a government, we must ensure that our wages are competitive and fair,” Zulum said.
He disclosed that with effect from January 1, medical doctors deployed to rural communities, as identified by the Hospital Management Board, will receive a rural allowance equivalent to 100 per cent of their basic salary, while nurses and midwives will benefit from a 40 per cent increment.
The Governor expressed optimism that the enhanced incentives would significantly close the manpower gap in rural health facilities and encourage more medical personnel to accept postings to general hospitals in the affected local government areas.
He therefore directed interested doctors and nurses to report to the Hospital Management Board for deployment.
At GSS Gubio, Governor Zulum also ordered the immediate provision of essential facilities for the school’s laboratories and library to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
The Governor was accompanied on the tour by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno; members of the House of Representatives, including Usman Zannah and Engr. Bukar Talba; as well as commissioners overseeing Information and Internal Security, Works and Housing, Local Government and Emirate Affairs, and Water Resources, alongside other senior government officials.
