Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, on Wednesday, said the state government has disbursed over nine billion naira (N9bn), for payment of salaries and pensions for workers on the payroll of Local Government Councils in the state.

Kolade, who made the disclosure in a statement issued in Ibadan, explained that Nine billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy Six Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty Eight Thousand, Sixty-Eight Naira and Eighty four kobo (N9,776,938,064.84) was released for payment of salaries and pensions for Local Government Staff for various months.

He said part of the money will also be used for the payment of primary school teachers’ salaries for March and April 2018, teachers leave bonus for 2016 and primary school pensioners’ pension.

According to him, out of the over N9bn, N4,817,690,039.31 will be used for payment of primary school Teacher's salary for March and April, 2018 and leave bonus for 2016, while N438,752,827.86, is for payment of retired primary school pensioners.

He added that N4,520,495,197.67 will be used for payment of salary and pension for Local Government Staff, saying that the money has been disbursed for local government councils across the state for immediate payment of salaries of their workforce.

Kolade stressed that the money released will reduce outstanding arrears owed workers at local government level ranging from one to six months, urging the Local Government Council chairmen to use the money for the purpose for which government has approved its disbursement.

He stated that the government remains committed to the welfare of workers and people of Oyo State, assuring that efforts are being made to clear the backlog of pensions and gratuities owed retired primary school teachers.

The Commissioner pointed out that efforts that led to the payment of N200m for gratuities of pensioners at the state level is being replicated at the local government level with the release of over N400m, noting that the government will continue to strive hard to ensure that workers get their dues promptly.