Date: 2018-04-27

The Chairman, Ex-councillors of Kwara State, Hon. Adebayo Atanda, gave the commendation while on a visit to the Governor at the Government House in Ilorin, on Wednesday

Former councillors in Kwara State have commended Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for facilitating a N4 billion loan for the 16 Local Governments in the State to offset part of the salary arrears owed their staff.

The Chairman, Ex-councillors of Kwara State, Hon. Adebayo Atanda, gave the commendation while on a visit to the Governor at the Government House in Ilorin, on Wednesday.

Atanda recalled that the leadership of the Union at different times met with Ahmed, who gave his assurance of assisting the LGs settle their arrears.

He appreciated the governor for facilitating the recently released N4 billion loan facility to the councils, out of which he said the ex-councilors got the sum of N200 million to clear their backlogs.

Ahmed said the council is an integral part of the State and his administration will continue to assist them to meet their obligations.

He disclosed that his administration had put in place machineries that will gradually help pay the arrears until they are finally liquidated. He added that the consistent drop in allocation made the payment of full salaries difficult.

He, however noted that the allocation had been normalized and salaries are being paid as and when due except for the arrears.

The governor assured that the State Government will not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that funds are sourced within the confines of the law to help the local governments clear their arrears.

Ahmed disclosed that the LGs have been assisted on individual basis to shore up their Internally Generated Revenue so that additional funds that come in would be also be liquidating outstanding salaries in their various councils.

He said as agreed at the Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting, part of the N4 billion loan facility is also made available to the present leadership of the councils to enable them jumpstart their activities and be in proper footings. He, therefore, urged the council chairmen to judiciously carry out their responsibilities and ensure prudence in allocation of resources.

He also urged past political office holders at the LG to continue to exercise more patience assuring that their arrears would be paid as soon as funds are available.