The President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, Monday, said corruption was responsible for the inability of some state governors to pay salaries of workers.

According to Saraki, corruption was affecting the progress of the country, adding that the 8th Assembly has made the fight against corruption a priority.

He stated this when the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, ICPC, Ekpo Nta, paid him a courtesy visit.

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

“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.”

Speaking earlier, Ekpo pledged that ICPC would do its best to check graft in the country.