​August Allocation: Kwara LGs Receive N180m Augmentation

The 16 local government councils in Kwara State are to receive an augmentation of N180, 554, 384 from the Joint Allocation Accounts Committee (JAAC) to enable them meet salary and pension obligations for the month of August. 

The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, who disclosed this after the JAAC meeting on Tuesday, said that LG pensioners got N59.4million in addition to the N109, 255, 995 that was appropriated.
He added that the LG workers will share the remaining N121, 154, 384 in addition to the N343, 204, 644 that was released to them. Alhaji Banu stated that the augmentation became necessary as the August allocation was far lesser than what is required for the councils to meet their salary and pension obligations.
Giving a further breakdown of the allocation distribution for August, the Finance Commissioner revealed that the gross statutory allocation for the LGs stood at N1, 014, 706, 902.57; exchange gain difference of N400, 092, 205.09 and VAT of 352, 876, 481.73.
According to him, the sum of N273, 114, 949.65 was deducted at source as repayment for the LGs previous-salary related borrowings from banks. After the deductions, the net statutory allocation for the LGs stood at N1, 494, 560, 639.74.
He disclosed that the sum of N1, 040, 600, 000 was appropriated for basic education teachers’ salary. In addition, 10 per cent of the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the month of August representing N59.4million was added to the teachers’ salary, making a total of N1.1billion.
Continuing, Alhaji Banu said that N343, 204, 644.63 was appropriated for LG employees’ salaries, while N109, 255, 995.11 was released for LG pensioners’ arrears. Other deductions are 1% training fund, which stands at N500, 000 and 0.5% JAAC budget representing N1million.
The Commissioner decried the drop in August allocation to the LGs, noting that it is far lower than the amount required by the councils to meet their monthly salary and pension obligations. He, however, expressed optimism that subsequent allocations will improve as the Niger Delta Avengers have promised to stop attacks on oil facilities.
Meanwhile, the State government has assured that it remains committed to assisting the local councils in meeting their salary obligations in the face of scarce resources.  
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Media and Communications, Dr. Muyideen Akorede, who said this while briefing journalists after the JAAC meeting, stressed that the state government is worried about the workers’ plight, assuring that the government’s commitment to assist LGs remains firm.  
He, however, hinted that the assistance will be rendered within the limit of the law and resources at the disposal of the State government.