Date: 2017-04-10

The Kwara State government has said it will use its share of the second tranche of the Paris Club refund to assist local government councils to offset part of their outstanding salary arrears and on critical infrastructure projects in the State.

The state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed disclosed this on Saturday during the monthly meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ilorin, the state capital.

The affected local government workers are being owed various salary backlogs ranging from six months and above.

According to a statement sent to National Pilot last night by the Senior Special Assistant Media and Communication to the Governor, Alhaji Muyideen Akorede, the state government is expected to receive another 25 per cent of its claims as share of the Paris club refunds.

Although the statement did not say when the state will receive the money, this medium had reported that the office of the Minister of Information, Kemi Adeosun in charge of the release was still computing figures due to each state and attributed the delay to cash flow shortage.

The statement added that once the money is received, government will apply it towards salary arrears at the local governments and also fund infrastructure development.

It said, "The Governor is committed to bridging the infrastructure deficit in the state in order to make it more attractive for investment and enhance the people's welfare.

The state government released the sum of N3.4bn to the local councils as their share of the first tranche received by the State.

President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the immediate release of over N500bn to states to offset the backlogs of workers salaries across the country. Governor Ahmed also said it will mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of the State in a low-key celebration due to the present economic situation.

He disclosed that past leaders and individuals who have contributed to the development and growth of the state will be honoured during the celebration. Recall that the state government in February inaugurated a 31-man committee to organise activities for the anniversary celebration, which is slated for May this year.