Osun Govt Denies Owing LG Staff, Says ₦230bn Allocation Nonetheless Withheld
The Osun State Authorities has dismissed claims that native authorities staff are being owed salaries. It stated wage funds have continued with out disruption throughout the councils.
The federal government defined that the issue will not be wage fee however the continued withholding of statutory allocations meant for native governments.
In a press release issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Info and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described stories of unpaid salaries as deceptive.
He stated the narrative doesn’t replicate the true {financial} scenario of the councils.
“There was no interruption within the fee of core salaries to native authorities staff. Salaries are being paid absolutely and as at when due,” Alimi acknowledged.
He confirmed that about ₦230 billion meant for native governments has been withheld for shut to 1 yr. Based on him, regardless of this problem, the state authorities has continued to fund wage funds from its personal assets.
“Regardless of the hijacking of native authorities allocations for nearly a yr, funds now totaling roughly ₦230 billion, the Osun State Authorities beneath Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has sustained wage funds by means of the state’s assets. This intervention has ensured {financial} stability for staff and shielded households from avoidable hardship,” he stated.
The commissioner clarified that whereas salaries are being paid, some allowances and extra advantages have been affected. He defined that these entitlements rely immediately on native authorities allocations.
He stated the withheld funds have been initially meant for grassroots improvement, council operations, and employees welfare on the native degree.
“The continued hijacking of the ₦230billion allocation has immediately impacted the fee of sure allowances and supplementary entitlements ordinarily funded from these statutory allocations,” Alimi stated.
“These obligations are structurally tied to funds accruing to the native authorities system and can’t be absolutely accommodated within the absence of these assets.”
Alimi insisted that staff haven’t been deserted regardless of the {financial} pressure on the state. He stated the federal government’s intervention was meant to forestall wage delays and shield households from {economic} hardship.
“Whereas allowances and different supplementary funds have been affected by the withheld funds, salaries stay constant and uninterrupted. Clear distinctions have to be maintained to make sure public understanding is guided by info,” he added.
The Osun State Authorities urged the general public to disregard stories suggesting that staff should not being paid in any respect. It maintained that staff’ welfare stays a precedence of the administration of Ademola Adeleke.