By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
Yola
Adamawa state government yesterday approved the sum of N9.6 billion for the payments of state civil servants’ outstanding arrears.
This was made known by the Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mr Mahmud Sali Yunusa, during a press conference organised to address issues of bailout funds obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
During the conference attended by the governor, the commissioner noted that the government was particularly concerned about the welfare of civil servants due to “long neglected the civil servants suffered during the previous administration.”
He noted that already finance team had been directed to work out modalities for payment of all outstanding salary liabilities, pension, and leave transport grant for 2013, 2014 and 2015 and other staff claims for state, local governments, judiciary and House of Assembly.
According to the commissioner, permanent secretaries in the state will also enjoy some of their entitlements, one of which is the furniture allowance,” the government has directed that this component be given to them, all these will be settled from the N7.2 billion loan.”
Yunusa, however, explained that on the receipt of N2.3 billion the state bankers Zenith Bank used it to bet off the government’s existing over draft loan.
Corroborating, Governor Muhammadu Bindow Umaru Jibrilla said his administration was committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
He thanked the workers for their perseverance and commitment to work “even in the face of difficulties,” and assured that “our administration is poised to change the lives of Adamawa workers.”
He said: “During our time, power will rest with the people as the masses are our masters because they gave us the mandate. I will continue to take instruction from the masses and do their bidding, and not the bidding of any political god-father.”
