By Ajide Kolawole
The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has restated his commitment to finding a lasting solution to the lingering salary crises at the basic education level.
Governor Ahmed, who stated this during a meeting with stakeholders in the Education sector in his office on Monday, said that he is worried about the plight of primary and junior secondary teachers as well as other workers who are being owed salaries due to drop in federal allocation.
He told the meeting that he is working round the clock with other stakeholders to come up with a robust plan that will bring succor to the affected workers.
The Governor noted that although the local councils are responsible for salaries and pensions at the local government level, the State government remains committed to ensuring welfare of all categories of workers in the State.
Governor Ahmed also emphasized that the federal government’s fresh bailout package for state governments, “is a budget support scheme, which is to enable states implement their budget in view of the current economic realities”. He said the package was not extended to local government councils because the Federal Government could not afford it.
Present at the meeting with the governor were the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Chief of Staff; Abdulwahab Babatunde, Head of Service; Hajia Zainab Umar and the State Commissioner for Education, Engr. Musa Yeketi and Chairman, House Committee on Education.
Others were Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB); Dr. Oladimeji Dasuki, State NUT Chairman; Comrade Musa Abubakar and representatives of the State chapter of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS)