Date: 2016-11-16

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has charged the Transition Implementation Committees (TICs) in the 16 local councils in the state to pay the backlog of salaries and pension owed as soon as possible.

The governor gave the charge while swearing-in new chairmen and members of the TICs at the Government House in Ilorin on Tuesday.

He directed the committees to make financial prudence their watchword, while urging them to prioritise low hanging infrastructure that would bring swift relief to the people.

"In this regard, you are to avoid making unnecessary appointments, shun ostentation and avoid any conduct capable of calling your integrity into question," he said.

The governor gave an assurance of the state government's support to the local government councils within the available resources to see them through the difficult times.

He expressed optimism that funds would soon be available for infrastructural development once the report of the Committee on Personnel Database Development was submitted and monthly recurrent expenditure reduced.

The governor, however, urged residents to pay their taxes and levies regularly for government to raise funds required for infrastructural development. Ahmed added that tax defaulters in the state would face the wrath of the law.

"Just as the welfare of citizens is obligatory on government, the payment of taxes is compulsory for all eligible individuals and businesses. "You cannot expect to benefit from services provided by government from taxes and yet refuse to contribute to paying your tax.

"Government at state and local government levels will, therefore, not hesitate to invoke the law to punish those found guilty of tax avoidance or evasion," he said.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of the TIC for Ilorin East Local Government, Alhaji Muhammed Dan Memoru, promised that they would discharge their responsibilities with utmost commitment. (NAN)