The Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli, has backed the proposed 100 per cent increase in the salaries and allowances of traditional rulers in the state.
Bamalli described the proposed increment as a “welcome relief” for the traditional institution, saying the current remuneration of traditional rulers was inadequate amid the rising cost of living and declining value of the naira.
The Emir spoke on Friday while addressing journalists at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.
He disclosed that the proposed salary increase had been in the pipeline for about seven months, adding that Governor Uba Sani and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Mamman-Lagos, had been working towards its implementation.
Bamalli said that following the government’s official announcement, he was optimistic that the new remuneration would soon become a reality.
“The proposed increase is a welcome relief for the traditional institution. The value of money has gone down significantly and what traditional rulers currently receive is not enough when compared with what obtains in some other emirates,” he said.
The Emir commended Gov Uba Sani and Mamman-Lagos for what he described as their “care, love and commitment” to the traditional institution in the state.
He said the cordial relationship between the government and traditional rulers had enabled both sides to regularly consult and collaborate on issues affecting the people.
According to Bamalli, traditional rulers are not politicians but remain critical partners in governance, particularly in conflict resolution, grassroots mobilisation and peacebuilding.
He disclosed that the Zazzau Emirate had resolved more than 2,000 civil cases through its alternative dispute resolution mechanism in the past two years.
He said the initiative had helped reduce pressure on conventional courts, adding that the palace handled an average of five cases daily from Monday to Thursday.
“Most of the cases are matrimonial disputes, inheritance, land matters and other civil disagreements. Criminal matters are referred to the conventional courts,” he said.
Bamalli added that the alternative dispute resolution mechanism had received commendation from members of the judiciary.
He attributed the relative peace in the emirate to what he described as an inclusive leadership approach that accommodated people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
The monarch said the emirate had deliberately recognised major communities, including Igbo, Yoruba and Fulani communities, as well as Christian leaders, to ensure that the palace received first-hand information about developments across the emirate.
Emir of Zazzau supports 100% salary increase for Kaduna traditional rulers