Date: 2016-12-18

The Kwara State Government said it is still expecting to receive more refund from the Federal Government under the London and Paris Club loan refunds to states across the country.

So far, the state has acknowledged receipt of N5 billion under the programme. Out of this, N1 billion has been allocated to the 16 council areas in the state to augment the payment of full salaries to their staff for stateowned colleges of education.

Speaking as guest at a media roundtable organised by the state's council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the governor, Dr. Muideen Akorede, said the N5 billion only represented November payment while another N899 million was approved to pay outstanding salary arrears to teachers in the first tranche of refund as the state still has outstanding claims with the Federal Government.

"We are still expecting more money from the London and Paris Club refund", he said, adding: "The Federal Government is currently working out." Akorede also used the occasion to defend the reconciliation of figures to arrive at a final recommendation on outstanding to the state governments against accusations of coercing the local government councils under its control.

The media aide claimed that the state had one of the most autonomous local government systems in Nigeria, adding that from the way things operate in the state, the calls for autonomy for council areas does not apply to the state.