Date: 2017-01-27

The sixteen local government councils in Kwara State are to share the sum of N236, 610, 159.87 for the month of January, 2017.

This figure includes the 10 per cent of the State government's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) distributable for the month, representing N57, 003, 366.21.

Alhaji Demola Banu, the State Commissioner for Finance disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists after the monthly State Joint Accounts Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held in Ilorin.

He said that the gross statutory allocation for the LGs stood at N830, 549. 245.88; Value Added Tax (VAT) of N420, 009, 840.16 and exchange gain difference of N194, 849, 922.90.

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. Other deductions are 1% training fund, which stands at N500, 000 and 0.5% JAAC budget representing N1million.

Giving a breakdown of the allocation distribution, Alhaji Banu said N900, 000,000 was allocated for the payment of Basic Education teachers’ salary, while the sum of N91, 187, 265.63 was appropriated for LG pensioners' arrears.

The Commissioner said that with the distribution of the allocation today, LG workers and SUBEB staff would start receiving their January salaries as from tomorrow (Friday), assuring that the State government will continue to do its best to ensure that ensure salaries are paid promptly.

Alhaji Banu expressed optimism that with the increase in price of crude oil at the global market, federal allocation will improve and LGs will be able to meet more of their obligations.

Also speaking, Deputy President of the State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr. Oloruntade Ibikunle commended the State government for the level of transparency in the allocation distribution.

Ibikunle, who lamented the shortfall in this month's federal allocation to the local governments, called on the LG workers to exercise patience, be prayerful and hope that subsequent allocations will improve.