Date: 2018-02-25

The Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed says the proposed N4 billion loans to offset part of outstanding Local Government salaries in would be released within the next one week.

Governor Ahmed disclosed this on Friday at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) held at the banquet hall, opposite Government House, Ilorin, the State capital.

He said the government was making frantic efforts in collaboration with Local Government Chairmen to address salary crisis at local government level.

Prudent management

The Governor, who said he is saddened over the unfortunate delay in the payment of salaries, assured Local Government workers and pensioners that the government would do everything possible to assist the councils in defraying outstanding salaries.

Governor Ahmed commended the Nigerian government for its various interventions in addressing salary issues across the country, calling for more prudent management of resources and improved internally generated revenue as a lasting solution to the crisis.

Strong force

He noted that the government values the immense contributions of NLC and is poised to improving the welfare of the workforce in the State.

Governor Ahmed congratulated the NLC on the anniversary celebration, saying that the labour union remains a strong force in socio-economic development of the country.

In his message, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki congratulated the NLC for the celebration, saying that "Nigerian labour movement had become an irrepressible force in the country today".

Senator Saraki, who was represented by the Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad expressed satisfaction with the existing industrial harmony in the State and commended the present administration for being workers friendly.

In a remark, the Chairman of the occasion and Deputy National President of NLC, Najeem Yasin said the celebration is holding across the country, in line with the directive of the national secretariat.

Yasin, who is also the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), thanked the Kwara State House of Assembly for being the first Assembly to pass Bill on Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria.

VON Correspondent reports that the theme for the anniversary is "Nigeria Labour Congress: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow".

The State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Yekeen Agunbiade explained that the special day was designed to reflect on the activities for the past years and to evaluate present position as Labour movement as well as projecting for the future of the Congress.

Comrade Agunbiade thanked the Governor for the prompt payment of salaries of workers in the core civil service.