Bayelsa Govt won’t touch council funds, says Finance Commissioner

Federal Government recently released a tranche of the Paris and London Club loans over-deductions refunds to all States and Local Government Councils in the Federation. Bayelsa State Government received the sum of N10 Billion only. This comprises N919 Million for the 8 Local Government Councils and a balance of N9 Billion for the State Government.
The State Government has paid one and half month salaries and allowance arrears from its portion of the refunds as agreed with Labour.
We may recall that an earlier tranche of N6.6Billion was also received by the State Government. Of this sum, the Councils were due a total of N580Million only out of which N300Million only had been previously utilised by the Councils. This brings the aggregate sum standing to the credit of the Councils in respect of the said refund to N1.199Billion only.
The Restoration Government strictly adheres to public accountability, transparency and high ethical standards in the conduct of business and will continue to respect the independence of the Local Government system. Government is unapologetically committed to its resolve not to tamper with funds due to the Local Government system.
We need not be reminded that the payment of the salaries of Council staff is not the responsibility of the State Government.
Nonetheless, the Government of His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, will continue to take the welfare of the Councils workers with all seriousness. Secured in this knowledge, Government engaged organised Labour with respect to Local Government Workers and there was an agreement for the payment of one month salaries and allowances.
The balance of N1.199 Billion due to the Local Governments being inadequate for the salaries; Government therefore had to contribute an additional sum through Ministry of Local Government to augment the payment to our workers.
The Hon. Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Maxwell Ebibai, on behalf of the Restoration Government wish to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of Government to systematically address the lingering salaries arrears due workers. However, the attention of all critical stakeholders and good people of Bayelsa State is being drawn to the fact that until the fundamental issues bedevilling our Local Government system are addressed frontally, the Councils will be unable to deliver on their core mandate of bringing development nearer to the grassroots.
The Honourable Commissioner for Finance therefore enjoins the good people of Bayelsa State to continue to support the well thought out innovative policies and programmes of the Restoration Government. This Government is irrevocably committed to the development and welfare of its citizens. This is our social contract and we are duty bound to uphold it.
  
Signed
Mr Maxwell Ebibai
Commissioner for Finance,
Bayelsa State.