Date: 2017-07-20

The Kwara State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to convene an emergency meeting with Stakeholders in the state, with a view to resolving issues, relating to outstanding payment from the Paris Club refund of N5.1bn.

To this end, it has set up ad -hoc Committee headed by the House Leader Hon. Hassan Oyeleke to ensure amicable resolution of the issues, arising from the Paris Club refund

These are part of the resolutions of the House, following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, raised by the House Leader, Hon. Hassan Oyeleke, on the impasse between the State Government and Labour Leaders on the release of the second trench of N5.1bn London Paris Club refund to the State Government.

Reading the resolutions of the House, the Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad explained that the House, as the intermediary between the State Government and the people, it can not fold its arms on issues, that could hamper the peaceful coexistence of the state.

The House according to the Speaker, explained that though the Paris Club refund belong mainly to the State Government, it should use substantial part of it, to pay arrears to alleviate the suffering of the affected workers and pensioners and commended the State Government for its pro activeness and genuine intention in releasing one billion naira for Local Government Councils in the state.

The Legislature then appealed to Labour Leaders in the State, to cooperate with the House's ad -hoc committee that had just been set up, specifically for the purpose of ensuring that effect is given to the resolutions of the House on the matter.

Members, had while debating the issue, highlighted that arrears of salaries, pensions and gratuities are owed not only to NULGE and NUT members, but also to staff of tertiary institutions, parastatals and state pensioners, who must all be catered for and urged the Governor to improve on the payment already made.

Other members who spoke on the matter, including Hon. Victoria Afolayan who is a former staff of Local Government, called for openness and greater understanding among all.