Oyo releases N13.7bn for LG workers, pensioners arrears

Gbenro Adesina/Ibadan

The Oyo State Government on Wednesday said it has disbursed over N13 billion to settle five months salaries owed local government workers and primary school teachers as well as pensioners in the state.

The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, who said this in Ibadan, explained that the N13.7 billion released to the Ministry from the office of the State’s Accountant General comprised the April, May and June allocations for Local Governments in the state and a share from Paris Club refund.

Kolade said that the N13.7 billion was inclusive of SUBEB funds, explaining that N3.088 billion was released for April, N3.396 billion for May and N5.255 billion for June while N2 billion was released for Local government workers and pensioners’ welfare by Governor Abiola Ajimobi from the refunded second tranche of N7.9 Paris Club fund.

The commissioner charged all caretaker chairmen to be prudent with the fund, expressing optimism that outstanding salaries of some 15 Council areas put at an average of two months would be paid.

He cautioned the caretaker chairmen against over bloated staff strength which he said always made it difficult for them to offset their wage bills promptly, urging that they should limit their ad-hoc staff to only those they could afford to pay their bills as at when due.