Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has been commended by former councilors in the state for facilitating a N4b loan for the 16 Local Governments in the State to offset part of their salary arrears owed their staff.
The Chairman, Ex-councilors in the state, Hon. Adebayo Atanda gave the commendation while on a visit to the Governor at the Government House in Ilorin, on Wednesday.
Atanda recalled that the leadership of the Union at different times met with the governor who gave his assurance to assisting the LGs settle their arrears. He, however, appreciated the governor for facilitating the recently released N4b loan facility to the councils out of which he said the ex-councilors got the sum of N200m to clear their backlogs.
In his address, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the council is an integral part of the State and his administration will continue to assist them to meet their obligations.
He disclosed that his administration had put in place machineries that will gradually help pay the arrears until they are finally liquidated.
He added that the consistent drop in allocation made the payment of full salaries difficult. He, however noted that the allocation had been normalized and salaries are being paid as and when due except for the arrears.
The governor assured that the State government will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that funds are sourced within the confines of the law to help the local governments clear their arrears.
He disclosed that the LGs have been assisted on individual basis to shore up their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) so that additional funds that come in would be also be liquidating outstanding salaries in their various councils.
He said that as agreed at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting, part of the N4b loan facility is also made available to the present leadership of the councils to enable them jumpstart their activities and be in proper footings.
He, therefore, urged the council chairmen to judiciously carry out their responsibilities and ensure prudence in allocation of resources. He also urged past political office holders at the LG to continue to exercise more patience assuring that their arrears would be paid as soon as funds are available.
Packaged by Rahman Salami
