(NAN) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Saturday announced a 50 per cent cut in the salaries and allowances of all political officer holders in the state.

Ganduje made the announcement in Kano during the swearing in ceremony of 13 new commissioners for the state.

“I hereby announce that the salaries and allowances of all political office holders are reduced by 50 per cent.

“We shall pursue an aggressive internal revenue generation in view of the dwindling oil revenue from the federation account as business will no longer be as usual,” he said.

The governor disclosed that the new administration had also introduced new reforms including reduction in the number of ministries from 19 to 14, to cut cost of governance.

He said that the commissioners were selected on merit and urged them to deploy their expertise to the service of the state.

Ganduje added that they must discharge their responsibilities with utmost sense of accountability, transparency and fear of Allah.

NAN reports that the new commissioners include the immediate past NUJ President, Malam Mohammed Garba as Commissioner of Information, Youth and Culture, Alhaji Murtala Garo, Local Government and Community Development and Haruna Falali, Justice.

Others are Dr Kabir Getso, Health, Alhaji Usman Ririwai, Water Resources and Rural Development, Prof. Kabir Dandago, Finance, Hajiya Zubaida Sharif, Women Affairs, Alhaji Ali Makoda, Environment and Alhaji Rabi’u Bako, Commerce.

The rest include Hajiya Aisha Mohammed-Bello, Planning and Budget, Garba Lambu, Works and Housing, Alhaji Faruk BB Faruk, Lands and Physical Planning while the Deputy Governor, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar will oversee the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. (NAN).