Date: 2016-12-23

The Kwara State government says it has already complied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that states should use at least 25 per cent of their London and Paris Club refund to offset salary arrears.

A statement from the State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, noted thatwith the release of N1billion to local governments and another release of N890million to some tertiary institutions to clear their salary backlog, the State government has exceeded Buhari's directive.

The Commissioner stated that this reflects Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed's commitment to the welfare of workers in the State. He added that the government remains determined to help LGs clear their current salary arrears in the shortest possible time.

Alhaji Banu emphasized that even before the State got its share of the Paris Club refund, the government was not owing any State civil servant, except staff of some tertiary institutions.

He said the approval of N890m for institutions is meant to clear arrears. Banu also disclosed that the balance of the refund will go towards other staff-related payments, injection of funds into to the State Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SME) scheme, Community Health Insurance Scheme, and completion of ongoing and new infrastructural projects across the State.

The Commissioner noted that these programs and projects will be of immense benefits to all residents and citizens of Kwara State.