Date: 2016-07-19

Kwara State Governor, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed has said that the delay in the payment of salaries of certain categories of workers in the State would soon be a thing of the past.

Gov. Ahmed, who gave this assurance at the presentation of First Class Staff of Office to eight newly upgraded traditional rulers in the State, hinged the optimism on the on-going verification of staff, reform of Internal Revenue Generation Mechanism as well as the proposed takeover of Junior Secondary Education funding.

Ahmed who said his administration was not unaware of the pains, the delay in the payment of salaries has caused many, cautioned politicians against inciting statements and misinformation against the government.

"These inmoral and unpatriotic attempts to gain political capital from the plight of workers affected by the huge drop in allocation to all tiers of government in the country must be condemned and resisted by all stakeholders, including traditional rulers.

"As your governor, I am not unaware of the hardship faced by basic education teachers and other local government workers over the unfortunate delay in salary payment. I feel their pains and will do everything within my power to bring the crises to an end", the governor promised.

He charged the royal fathers in the state to "educate members of their communities on the current economic situation in the country and measures the state government has put in place to remedy the situation".

Governor Ahmed also urged traditional rulers as custodians of tradition and culture to continue to support the state government in order to ensure prosperity of Kwarans.

The Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari in his remarks, said the newly elevated traditional rulers to first class status were of impeccable characters.

Speaking on behalf of the new first class traditional rulers, the Olosiof Osi, Oba Salihu Adasofegbe promised that they would live up to the expectations of the government and people of the state in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Other newly elevated traditional rulers to first class status are Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, Serobeteseri; Emir of Gwanara, Alhaji Sabi Idris, Olupako of Share, Alhaji Abubakar Adelodun, Olusin of Isanlu-Isin, Oba Solomon Olugbemiga Oloyede, Emir of Ilesha Baruba, Prof. Halidu Abubakar and Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Usman Sariki.