By Opeyemi Adeoti
The Kwara State House of Assembly has urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development to investigate the delay in payment of salaries and arrears of Local Government and State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB workers by the consultant in charge.
This formed part of the resolutions of the House, following a matter of general public importance, raised by Mallam Muhammed Baba-Salihu, representing Okuta-Yashikira Constituency, titled “Need for Consultant incharge of salaries of Local Government and SUBEB workers to ensure Prompt Payment “.
The House also called on the consultant to facilitate payment of salaries and arrears of these categories of workers so that they would be motivated to do their job and improve livelihoods.
While commending the Governor for regular release of funds to the consultant for the payment of salaries and arrears for local government and SUBEB workers, the lawmakers directed its Joint Committee on Education and Human Capital Development, to invite the consultant for explanation of the unwarranted delay.
Mallam Baba-Salihu expressed concern that the consultant continued to delay the payment despite timely release of the money by the Governor, noting that such an attitude is giving the governor a negative image despite efforts to motivate workers on the state payroll.
Other lawmakers in their contributions, noted that for the Governor to have been magnanimous to pay backlog of salary arrears incurred by the previous administration, the delay in payment on the part of the consultant is like frustrating government good intention.
Meanwhile, the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital Establishment bill passed through first reading today at the floor.
The bill passed through first reading following the presentation by the House Leader and member representing Ilorin Central, Abdulkadir Magaji.
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu Danladi therefore referred the bill to the House Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action in preparation for the second reading.
The Clerk of the House, Alhaji Abdulkareem Olayiwola read the bill for the first time.