Kwara Records Loss Of N2.8bn From April Allocation

Kwara State has recorded another shortfall of N2.8billion from the April’s allocation from the federation account.

According to the commissioner for finance, Alh Demola Banu, the state government recorded a shortfall of N1.8billion, while the 16 local governments had a reduction of N1billion.

He, however, assured that the state government had put in place measure that would aid the prompt payment of workers’ salaries.

Banu lamented that the April allocation to the state could not meet the 16 local governments’ salary and other financial obligations.

He explained that there would be nothing left for the councils to share after paying the pensioners and teachers in the local government areas in view of the low level of allocation.

“It would be recalled that the 16 local governments require N849 million to pay workers salary monthly and other overhead expenses.

Banu confirmed that the total revenue was N1, 571, 521, 299. 55billion in the month of April, while the expenditure, excluding local government salary and overhead expenses stood at N1, 697, 850, 960.89billion.

He explained that the April revenue comprises; statutory allocation of N1, 141, 147, 317.27; VAT, N377, 831, 918.27; 10 percent IGR from the state government, N52, 542, 064.01 totaling N1, 571, 521, 299.55 in the month of April.

He stated that the fund was appropriated in line with law guiding the local government account which include; teachers salary, N1, 205, 792, 612.08; teachers special allowance, N96, 483, 613.62; local government and LGEA pension N346, 598, 565, 94 among others.

Banu said “when you deduct the total expenditure excluding local government salary and overhead expenses as highlighted above from the total revenue in April 2015, you will discover that there is nothing left for the local governments which require N849million to pay workers salary and meet overhead expenses in the 16 local government areas.

“This is what all the states and the local governments in the federation are experiencing since August 2013, but Kwara state has been paying its workers on or before 25th of every month and will continue to pay workers salary and meet other financial obligation.”