Leaders of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Kwara State have lauded Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his commitment to resolving the LG salary crisis.
The union leaders also commended the governor for the prompt release of N2b out of the N3.77b Paris Club refund to local governments and SUBEB.
They gave the commendation during an emergency meeting of the State Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) held on Thursday to share the N2b among LG employees, SUBEB and LG pensioners.
At the meeting chaired by the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, it was agreed that the N2b be used to offset a month’s arrear of LG employees, pensioners and SUBEB staff.
Consequently, the sum of N581, 680, 470.31 was appropriated for LG employees, SUBEB got N1, 154, 650, 062.30, while a total of N264, 127, 156.60 was allocated for LG pensioners.
Speaking during the meeting, the Finance Commissioner assured that the State government will continue to do its best to ensure that the salary crisis at the LG level is resolved on time.
Alhaji Banu disclosed that the State government is still expecting more money from the FG in respect of the London-Paris Club loan refund, which will go towards paying more of the existing arrears of the LG workers and other people-oriented programs.
He also expressed optimism that with the steady rise in the price of crude of oil at the international market, federal allocation to the State and LGs will increase.
In his reaction, the State NULGE Chairman applauded the distribution of the funds and expressed hope that the salary crisis affecting the local governments will soon become a thing of the past.
Also speaking, the State NUT Chairman, Comrade Musa Abubakar commended Governor Ahmed for his commitment to ending the salary crisis. He urged the State government to use the expected refunds from the FG to clear more of the salary and pension arrears.