Date: 2016-12-24

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has approved the release of N400million to the 16 LGs for the payment of December salary. The amount is intended to augment the December allocation to enable them pay full salary for the month.

Alhaji Demola Banu, the State Commissioner for Finance announced this in a statement issued on Friday. He disclosed that the money is in addition to the N1billion earlier released to the LGs from the N5b London and Paris Club loan refund received by the State. An additional N890m had earlier been approved for tertiary institutions in the state.

The Commissioner expressed confidence that with the release of the funds, the local councils will be able to pay a full month salary to their workers so that they can have pleasant celebrations.

According to him, the decision of Governor Ahmed to release the funds is in furtherance of his commitment towards upholding workers' welfare.

Banu also reiterated that the State government has by this gesture, exceeded President Muhammadu Buhari's directive that 25 per cent of the refunds to states from the over deductions on Paris-London Club debt servicing is utilized to pay salary arrears.

He explained that with the release of the N400m, a total of N2.292billion has now been disbursed by the State government from the N5billion it received.

The Commissioner assured that the State government will continue to assist the local councils in meeting their salary and pension obligation while ensuring people-oriented programs and infrastructure.