Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to payment of local government workers and Primary school Teachers salaries.
The Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubarka Sadiq Ainoko, who disclosed this while briefing the journalists at his office in Lokoja over the activities of the ministry in bid to ensure regular payment of salaries to local government work force and primary school teachers in the state.
He explained that the percentage salary payment to local government and primary school teachers was as a result in dwindling in federal allocation accrued to Kogi state, noting that neither the state government nor the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was responsible for delay in payment of November and December 2014 salary to teachers.
Ainoka stated that following the release of the supplementary non -oil revenue, the 21 local government councils in the state have been able to pay 100 percent of the minimum wage to the workers, noting that Lokoja LG went extra miles to additional 55 per cent of arrears.
The Commissioner also explained that the delay in payment of November 2014 teachers’ salary in five councils and all local government council in December was as result of over bloated vouchers after the agreed 60 per cent of minimum wage.
He added that the shortfall was occasioned by a faulty salary chart being used by the State Universal Basic Education Board, stressing that such payments were abnormal and haphazard, which later led to over payment of agreed percentage.
“Nevertheless I am delight to inform you that the arrears of the November salary. Of teachers in the affected local government areas of Okene, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Olamaboro and Omala have been paid from the non- oil revenue received”, he stated.
The Commissioner however identified over staffing in some local government area as responsible for continued payment of Percentage salary, noting that this in accordance with the available resources to the state and believed that as soon as the situation improves.
