Nasarawa Assembly frowns at council Chairmen over delay in payment of Staff Salary

From Abel Daniel, Lafia

Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has charged council Chairmen in the State to ensure prompt payment of their staff salaries.

This, the committee said is for effective service delivery at the grassroots and in order to improve on the standard of living of the local government staff and that of their family members.
The Chairman of the Committee Hon Mohammed Ibrahim Alkali, gave the charge when the Ministry for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development as well as the Department of Local Government Pension of the State Pension Bureau appeared before the committee on their 2022 budget assessments.

Alkali expressed dismay on the delay in the payment of local government staff salaries by some local government chairmen as he called for change of attitudes.

” We don’t know why after Chairmen have received their allocation from federation account and Joint Account Allocation Committee ( JAAC) meeting held by them.

” Some Local Government chairmen will delay the payment of their staff salaries.

” Some will pay immediately while some will pay their staff after one week or two weeks, why?

” Why is it that some local government chairmen are delaying the payment of their staff salaries after allocation from federation account.

” It is in view of this that we want to call on the local government chairmen under your ministry to ensure prompt payment of their staff salaries,” he said.

Alkali has assured of the committee’s continued determination to support the ministry and department of Pension in order to address their challenges.

He also urged the ministry to intensify efforts in order to supervise the activities of local governments for the overall development of the state.

The Lawmaker has assured of the committee’s effective synergy with the state government in order to address grassroots challenges.

Earlier, Hon Yusuf Aliyu Turaki, the Commissioner of the ministry has expressed his joy with the committee for its continued support to the ministry at all times.

He has also appreciated Gov. Abdullahi Sule for giving attention to the Ministry and called for its sustenance.

The Commissioner told the committee that the payment of local governments staff and pension is up to date.

Also appeared before the committee is t

The Department of Local Government Pension of the State Pension Bureau also appeared where Mr Yusuf Aboki, Director of the department, who led the delegation appreciated the committee for supporting their activities.

The Director of Finance and Account ( DFA) Mr Emmauel Michael Ombugadu, while briefing the committee on the budget performance of the department, said that the state government needs over N27 billion to offset gratuities and death benefits for over 8000 LG retirees and dead staff since 2000 to date.

According to him, Over 8000 retirees and dead staff gratuities and benefits files were processed with over N27 billion naira projected to pay them.

“First and foremost, we want to appreciate you for the support you are giving to us.

“We also want to thank His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule for giving his attention to pension bureau to succeed.

“The support we have received and still receiving from Gov. Sule has improved on the standard of living of retirees and that of their family members,” he said.

The DFA assured of the board’s continued determination to improve on the wellbeing of the retirees and their family members.