The governor of Ado Ekiti, Mr. Fayose Ayo has
lamented that the state government needed the sum of N7.5 billion to settle
arrears of entitlements of public servants in the state government.
He admitted that he sometimes does
not know where to start which gives him sleepless nights.
Yesterday The governor was speaking
in Ado Ekiti while inaugurating some projects to mark his 100 days in office.
He says, the entitlements included
August and September 2014 salaries of some workers, subventions due to
state-owned institutions, leave bonus among others.
Mr Ayo Fayose declared that despite
the challenges and commitments that he would strive to execute some projects
and pay salaries promptly.
According him, he says “We have
about N7.8 billion obligation to workers in the state. The obligations were
left behind by the former administration, which include over N2 billion as
leave bonus to workers, over N1 billion as deductions from workers’ salaries
that the former administration did no remit.
“Since August and September 2014
salaries they did not pay some workers amounting to over N2 billion.
Subventions to tertiary institutions which is over N2 billion as well.
“Saying, I don’t know where to start
sometimes I cannot sleep. We did not inherit anything tangible from the former
administration.
The six months’ moratorium from banks
that we got, will lapse in two months and when that happens, banks will be
deducting N780 million monthly to service the over N31 billion loans the former
administration left behind.
N800 million is deducted from our
statutory allocation monthly to service the N25 billion bond that they took. We
have approached four banks to borrow us money to pay at least one month out of
the two months salaries owed some workers. But essential things must be done. I
call for understanding from people and I am committed to making life better for
the people,” the governor said.
Mr. governor further noted that
paying workers’ salaries promptly had become a cardinal point of his
administration, given the poor state of the economy and finances of the state.
Governor noted that the challenges
met in office would never be an excuse for him not to perform his duties and fulfill
his electoral promises he has made.
Also, he says among the projects
lined up for inauguration were the rehabilitated Matthew Road, Ado-Ekiti, Bisi
Market, Awedele Road, Ado-Ekiti, drainages along Ajilosun Road, Ado-Ekiti.
“Other is’ 12 ambulances, 19 patrol
vans for security agencies, 20 motorbikes, three tractors and 12 waste
vehicles.