By Folayimika Akanbi
Former local government elected councilors (2017-2020) in Kwara State have appealed to the state government to direct appropriate authorities for the immediate approval and payment of their three months withheld salaries.
The councilors across the 16 local government areas of the state, with three years tenure, served between 2017 and June 2019 that the state government dissolved elected local government leadership through the resolution of the state House of Assembly.
They said at a media conference in Ilorin on Saturday that the state government was yet to fully offset their salaries since their tenure ended abruptly.
Addressing Journalists, the Coordinator of the ex-councilors’ forum, Oba Abdulraheem Kannike, disclosed that his members were owed a total of N58,689,460.06 following the decision of the government to opt for part payment of their salaries after the termination of their term of office.
He explained that about 187 councilors were owed the three months of the withheld salaries excluding severance allowances and other allowances and entitlements accruable to their offices.
Kannike, who noted that efforts to prevail on the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to facilitate the payment proved unsuccessful, pleaded with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene and order the payment of the remainder of their entitlements.
The former councilor expressed absolute confidence of the forum in Governor AbdulRazaq, urging him to direct the state Ministry of Local Government, Cheiftaincy Affairs and Community Development to pay the withheld salary arrears and other legitimate entitlements of the erstwhile councilors immediately.
He recalled that it has been six years that the tenure of the former councilors expired, pointing out that many of his members are currently grappling with hardship and ill-health with no money to undergo treatment.
Kannike, who spoke to Journalists alongside leaders of the forum, said the media conference was not to fight the government but to appeal for the release of what lawfully belongs to his members.
“For the purpose of record and clarity, our set was suspended from office on 18th June 2019 by the Kwara State House of Assembly, and the suspension lasted till the expiration of our tenure in 2020. Since our suspension, some of our salaries and entitlements were withheld.
“Most painfully, our withheld salary arrears have been denied by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, despite several letters, follow-ups and peaceful consultations.
“In addition to the withheld salaries, our other legitimate entitlements as provided by law have also remained unpaid till date. These include: withheld salary arrears, severance allowances and other allowances and entitlements accruable to our offices.
“It is now over six years after the expiration of our tenure. Many of our members are passing through untold hardship, some are battling ill-health without money for treatment, while some have died without getting their entitlements, leaving their families in suffering,” the former councilors said.
END.
