LGs Salary Arrears: KWSG summons 16 council bosses for account reconciliation today

Edu next in line for payment this week – Gov’s aide

By Kayode Adeoti

Following the commencement of the payment of salary arrears to council workers by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Kwara State Government has summoned all the 16 Local Government Chairmen and the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for reconciliation of accounts, National Pilot, can authoritatively report.
According to findings by this medium last night, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has asked all the local government chairmen to come forward with their account documents today (Monday) for harmonisation.
A source close to the governor informed this medium anonymously that before the year runs out, many council workers across the state will have their salary arrears paid.
He said, “All the council heads have been asked to converge on Ilorin, the state capital tomorrow (today) for the reconciliation of accounts and the state NULGE are also carried along. This will ease the payment as each council worker will receive their money before the year ends.
“The payment is in line with the promise of the Senate President and we appreciate him for fulfilling his vows.”
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters and Students Affairs, Comrade Bisi Fakayode who confirmed the development stressed that workers of Edu Local Government Area are next in line for payment.
He stressed that plans are in top gear to ensure that workers in Edu receive their money this week.
“As at today, the outstanding arrears of all the councils is estimated at N1billion and I want to appreciate the Senate President for his magnanimity and humanitarian efforts extended to the local governments. Edu will be the next bus stop for the payment and God willing, it’s going to be this week,” the governor’s aide said.
Fakayode however promised that the issue of salary arrears of Irepodun LG that is generating controversy among workers would be addressed at a meeting scheduled for today.
“I’m aware of the controversy in Irepodun over the arrears, it is part of what the state government is set to discuss in the meeting slated for Monday with the council bosses…” he said.
Recall that Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki made bold his promise to offset salary arrears of council workers in the state as he flagged off the payment in Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government, last week.
Former council chairman of Irepodun, Comrade Fakayode, who delivered the money on behalf of Saraki, stressed that the undisclosed fund is meant for serving council workers and retirees.
Earlier, the state Secretary of the National Union of Local Government Employers (NULGE), Comrade Hotonu Rafiu appreciated the gesture of the Senate President, saying the agitation of the union had yielded result.
In his address, the Irepodun Chairman, Hon Muyiwa Oladipupo urged the workers to support the present administration and the leadership of Saraki in the 2019 general elections.
According to him, nobody can manage the affairs of the state better than those who understand the terrain, even as he stressed that opposition parties have nothing to offer the people.
“All members of my family are civil servants, so if I fail to ensure good disbursement of this money, all of us will suffer and I don’t want that.
“Nobody can manage this state than those who have been doing it before. Those coming to meet you in the opposition parties have nothing to give you than deceit.
“Let us continue to support our leader, Saraki, I believe, before this year ends, he will still make us happy,” Oladipupo said.
Similarly, the mail runner of the council, Kunle Fakayode described Saraki’s gesture as a surprise to the workers, stressing that it was not expected so soon given the paucity of funds in the country.
“The gesture was a surprise, we never expected it but it will go a long way in boosting our morale. Money is important in the life of an individual though we wished they do more but we’re grateful.