By Lawal Gwanda
Katsina State has taken the leas in the payment of November salaries and pension of local councils, LEA staff and pensioners under Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, MLGCA on 21st of the month amongst its counterparts across the country.
This indicated the steadfastness of MLGCA in the payment of LGCs, LEA salaries and pension earlier before the state government paid its workers.
Supervising Commissioner of the State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Hon. Bishir Tanimu Gambo made this known in an interview with newsmen in Katsina.
The commissioner said for the past years he has been praying to Allahu SWT to borrow him a leaf that will make him offer assistance in rescheduling payment of salaries for local councils and LEA staff including Pension and according to him the leaf had been borrowed.
Hon. Bishir Tanimu said each month, the current administration reserved N10b in its Bank Account against incoming month salaries for LG LEA staff and state government workers including Pension which he regarded as fiscal discipline.
He also explained that the state government was on course in settling the back log of gratuity and accrued Pension for state and local government retirees of over N22b from July 2019.
The Commissioner pointed out that before his assumption as the Supervising Commissioner of MLGCA, one month accrued Pension and gratuity for local government and LEA retirees was paid and upon his assumption the payment of three months had been effected.
To critics, the Commissioner advised them to always make a thorough investigation before they react and while reacting, they should be sincere.
While commending the efforts of the State Governor for fully identifying with the Ministry, Hon. Bishir Tanimu also appreciated the effectiveness of the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Staff Pension Board towards achieving successes to that regard.
The Commissioner therefore charged local government and LEA staff to be agile by conducting their respective duties diligently.
