Ahmed directs payment of workers before Sallah

Abdulfatah Ahmed, governor of Kwara state, has directed the state ministry of finance to to pay the September salary of the state civil servants latest by Wednesday.

He also asked the ministry to source loans from commercial banks to pay salaries and pension arrears in the 16 local government councils of the state.

Speaking through Muyideen Akorede, his senior special assistant on media and communication, Ahmed said loan was sourced to release money to workers since the  N5 billion bailout from the federal government had not been released.

Akorede said the governor took the decision to end the hardship being experienced by the affected workers and pensioners as well to enable them enjoy the forthcoming Eid-Il-Kabir festivities.

“Governor Ahmed also directed revenue generating departments, agencies and tertiary institutions in the state to pay the salary arrears of their respective staff with their internally generated funds immediately,” the statement read.

“Continuing, Governor Ahmed stressed the need to identify sustainable methods of generating Internal Revenue as state and local governments cannot continue to rely on loans to pay workers salaries.

“He therefore called on the people to support the state’s renewed revenue drive which he identified as the only way the state can survive the national economic crises and meet its obligations to the people.”