The Kwara State Government has announced that 97% of its 18,466 employees have received their November 2024 salaries and bonuses. This clarification follows concerns raised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over delayed payments to some workers in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday night, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, attributed the delay affecting the remaining 3% of state workers to their failure to complete registration with the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency (KWSRRA) or other unresolved administrative issues.
The government emphasized that the registration initiative, launched in July 2024, was designed to improve payroll accuracy and ensure transparency.
The NLC, through its state Secretary, Isiah Elachochi-Eigege, earlier reported that about 75% of workers, primarily in local government areas, were yet to be paid. This group reportedly includes members of unions such as the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives.
However, the state refuted these claims, noting that 77% of local government workers had been paid, with only 23% pending due to non-compliance with KWSRRA requirements.
“For the local government Areas, 77 per cent of the workforce has been paid, while the 23 per cent remaining are those who have not complied with the KWSRRA requirements,” the statement reads.
“These figures of the state, SUBEB, and local government areas — contradict the claim that 75 per cent or 45 per cent of the workforce had not been paid.
“We had earlier engaged with representatives of the NLC where we provided clear data on how things stood. We also explained how those who have not got theirs can go about it if they are truly bonafide workers,” the state government said.
“The exercise to register every resident in the state for accurate data, security purposes, and sanitization of the payroll system is an endeavor that every citizen should support. We assure workers that the administration remains committed to prompt payment of their salary and welfare, as has been the hallmark of the government.
“The government is committed to resolving all outstanding issues so that no bonafide worker is left unpaid. We urge our compatriots in the labour unions to fully support this transparency initiative which is meant to serve the interest of everyone,” the statement added.
