Local government areas in Nasarawa State have resorted to paying the February salaries to their workers through accrued savings.
Governor Abdullahi Sule had sometimes ago advised the local government chairmen to initiate savings from their monthly subventions.
Speaking in Lafia, the governor said the savings initiated by the councils were paying off following the delay in the release of February salaries to LGs in the country by the CBN.
He said local governments in the state were not only paying the February salaries but also implementing the new N70,000 minimum wage.
“I want to sincerely apologise to our local government workers in the state. When we kept telling the local government that it was necessary to have the savings, a lot of people didn’t understand me. Now it is the saving grace and they are the happiest people today. They are going to use their savings to pay salaries.
“The most beautiful aspect of it is that they are not just paying the salaries, they are now paying the new minimum wage also this month. The local government has not been able to implement the N70, 000 minimum wage because of the resources they were receiving. But since they are using their savings, they are paying the new minimum wage,” he said.
He said the issue of account opening with the apex bank was dragging for long and urged parties concerned to address the issue urgently.
“It looks like it is going to be a long haul because, according to the local government chairmen and the ministry, when they approach the CBN in Lafia to open accounts, CBN would say they are yet to receive directives from their headquarters to allow them open the accounts. But Abuja would say they are still waiting for the accounts.
“There is something that is missing somewhere and we are working on it to make sure that whatever is the problem is resolved. But while that is going on, it is very important for the local government to use their own savings to pay their staff,” he said.
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