Government of the Osun has set aside a whopping sum of N19.8bn for the payment of salaries and pensions in the state.
The state commissioner for finance, Mr Bola Oyebamiji made this known in Osun on Thursday at press briefing organized by his ministry.
Oyebamiji explained that the amount will be used to offset the salary and pension arrears for September, October, November and December of 2015 and the leave bonus, and the full salaries of August, 2018.
The commissioner also revealed that setting aside a huge amount for the payment of salaries, pensions and other emoluments has been part of the state government for a long time.
He said, “this is not the first time that the State Government will commit a lump sum receipt to
payment of salaries and workers emoluments. You will recall that in November 2016, the
state government received N11.74 billion as refunds from the Paris Club. The following
month, N13.6 billion was paid to active and passive workers as salaries, pensions, leave
bonuses and other emoluments. These are made of N8.5 billion to cover the salaries of
September, October, November and December of 2016.
“Also, N924 million was paid to cover the leave bonus of September, October, November
and December of the same year. From the same amount, N2.5 billion was paid to cover
the pensions of September, October, November and December of 2016.
“Lastly, N1.7
billion was transferred to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to
cover salaries and pensions.
“Again, in July 2017, the government received N6.3 billion as the second tranche of Paris
Club refund and paid N6 billion as salaries, pensions and leave bonuses. They are: N3.76 billion as workers salaries, N504 million as leave bonuses, N791 million as pension and
N935 million as salaries in the Local Governments,” he said.
Oyebamiji explained that since the commencement of the Aregbesola administration in November 2010, salaries, pensions and workers emoluments had taken not less than 80 per cent of the total revenue of the state. Indeed, a sizeable portion of the state’s debt was incurred on salaries.”
He also cleared the air that the state government received the last tranche of Paris Club refund and revealed the amount.
He said, “the latest Paris refund released to the State by the Federal Government is Sixteen Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-Three Million, Two Hundred and Ninety-Six Thousand, Four Hundred and Two Naira, Eighty-Two Kobo (N16, 623,296,402.82) while
Mr Governor has approved the disbursement of Nineteen Billion, Eight Hundred and One
Million, Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-One
Naira, Twenty-Two Kobo.
The state however appreciated its workforce for their resilience and sacrifice during the trying period.
“On behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, I will like to commend and thank all the workers in Osun for their sacrifice, resilience and unflinching support to the government and dedication to duty, even in the midst of daunting challenges. I have no
doubt that workers, in their demonstrable good nature and ‘Omoluabi’ spirit, will reciprocate this good gesture from the government.
