Loan refund: Kwara releases N2bn to LG workers, teachers

GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has directed immediate release of N2billion to the 16 local government councils and SUBEB in the state.

This follows the receipt of N3.773billion on Monday evening from the Federal Government, being balance of the 25 per cent of the State’s claim as its share of the London-Paris club.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu, said that the State government’s account was credited around 5pm on Monday.

Alhaji Banu explained that following the receipt of the money, Governor Ahmed, who personally coordinated efforts to secure the outstanding balance, directed the immediate release of additional N2billion out of the money to the 16 LGs and SUBEB to enable them clear parts of their salary and pension arrears.

He also said that this brings to N3.4billion the total amount of money the state government has released to the LGs as their share of the London-Paris Club refund.

Alhaji Banu expressed optimism that the release of the N2billion to the local councils will bring some succour to their workers, who are owed backlog of arrears.

It will be recalled that the state government on Saturday announced that it was in the process of getting the Federal Ministry of Finance to process and release the balance of N3.7billion this week.