The Plateau state government has confirmed that it has cleared three months’ backlog of salary arrears for March and April 2016, following its receipt of the second tranche of salary bailout from FG (i.e., amounting to N5.2 billion). This will mean workers are still owed two months salaries – for May and June 2016.

ViewPointNigeria’s investigations reveals that the state government had in the last quarter of 2015 received the first batch of bailout funds (i.e., N5.3 billion).

Speaking to newsmen during a press conference in Jos, the state Commissioner of Finance, Mrs Tamwakat Weli confirmed that the bailout was distributed between the two tiers of government as follows: (a) Local governments – N1.2 billion and (b) State government – N4 billion.

Weli said the second batch of bailout has also covered outstanding arrears of January and February salaries, adding that Governor Simon Lalong had approved that the difference in the shortfall of May salaries and the November and December 2015 pension arrears be sourced and paid.

She said Plateau state passed the qualification criteria specified by the Federal Government for accessing the “Federal Government Guaranteed Conditional Budget Support Loan” of N14.1 billion which will be disbursed in three tranches, adding, “The money will be disbursed to the State in three tranches of N1.3 billion for three consecutive months. Thereafter, the balance will be disbursed over a period of nine months in equal amount of N1.1 billion at the interest rate of 9% for a tenure of one year moratorium before payment begins.”

count | 761

Lalong clears March and April salary arrears using N5.2 billion bailout loan