We are not owing workers, says Kwara

The Kwara state government has denied reports that it is owing workers in the state.

Demola Banu, the state commissioner for finance, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the government was up to date with payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees.

“Salary delays only exist at the local government level due to the decline in allocations accruing to that tier of government from the federation account,” he said.

“The local government staff are owed varying degrees of arrears and not eleven months as falsely reported.”

Banu said while the salary crisis at the LGAs is unfortunate, “the situation is reflective of the current national economic downturn which has limited the capacity of governments at all levels to meet salary obligations.”

He added that on different occasions, the state government had assisted the local councils by augmenting their allocation.

“The state government released the sum of N3.4bn to the local councils as their share of the first tranche received by the state,” he said.

“The state government will use its share of the second tranche of the Paris Club refund when received to assist the councils to clear part of their outstanding salary and pension arrears.”