By Osahon Osahon
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State says 15 out of the 18 local government councils in the state who were owing salaries and pension arrears under the administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole have cleared their debts.
He said none of the 18 councils of the state could pay salaries under his predecessor, adding that the situation led to massive protest pensioners on daily basis in Benin, the state capital, under the now APC National Chairman.
The governor stated this on Monday when team members of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Study Tour Course 42 visited him at the Government House, Benin.
Obaseki, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the 18 local government councils of the state owed salaries and pension entitlements at the time the national chairman of the APC left office as governor.
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According to him, the deployment of non-state actors as revenue collectors was responsible for the development.
He explained that none use of government actors deprived government of revenue, for the indebtedness of the local government councils but was quick to add that his administration had changed the tide.
According to him; “By the time Oshiomhole left office, the 18 LGAs were owing salaries; they could not pay. Pensioners were demonstrating at Ring Road on a daily basis and teachers were not paid too. But as at today, the good news is that the same LGAs that were getting N1.5 million during Oshionmhole tenure now get a minimum of N85 million monthly.
“Out of the 18 LGAs that were owing salaries, 15 have been able to clear these arrears and are paying salaries as and when due.
“Of course, the thugs will not be happy about this. That is the fightback we are witnessing now. But the Obaseki-led administration needed to fight thuggery to bring sanity to the state.”
The governor he would continue to demonstrate prudence in handling the state’s resources, paying salaries as and when due, among other laudable feats.
He also added that his government is also assisting security outfits in the state to ensure they carry out their duties without much hassles in the state.
He noted, “When you see people talking of stomach infrastructure, it is a matter of choice. There are governors in the country that cannot pay salaries; but in this state, state workers get salaries every 26 of the month. It is because we have a leader who has decided to work for the benefit of the people.”
