Kwara govt pays part of pre-2019 SUBEB, LGAs’ N11bn arrears 

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Kwara

Kwara State government has paid another 15 percent of one month of the huge salary arrears of SUBEB teachers, pensioners and local government workers it inherited in 2019 from the past administration in the state. 

The decision to gradually offset the N11billion was agreed to by local government authorities at the request of union leaders at the allocation committee meeting of Monday August 29, 2022. 

This was contained in a statement signed by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oba Bolaji on Tuesday in Ilorin.

The payment of the 15percent of the arrears came after the allocation committee approved funding for 100percent August salary, while the balance goes into offsetting the loans earlier obtained from the state government to pay 100percent salary for all categories of workers in the previous months of 2022 when federal allocation/revenue dropped drastically. 

It would be recalled that the present administration had paid 15percent (N308m) of the arrears in January 2020 and another 20percent (N359m) in December 2021 when allocation improved. 

Depending on the size of the allocation, monthly salary payment and other statutory obligations at the local government level (including SUBEB) continue to gulp between 85 and 100percent of revenues of the councils, especially after the minimum wage was implemented. 

The government assures the concerned workers and the unions of its commitment to pay them this deserving entitlement. 

“However, the only alternative to phased payment of these humongous arrears is a new borrowing which would further plunge the state into more debt. 

“The government sincerely commends the workers and their unions for their exemplary patriotism, patience and understanding,” the statement added.