The Delta State Government under the watch of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is not to be blamed for the indebtedness of local government councils in the state to their workers.

Mr. Ossai Ovie Success, Political Aide to the Governor on Special Duties (Media), made tyhe clarification in a statement issued on Thursday in Asaba.

According to the Governor’s Aide, “For long now, the general public has been fed with false information regarding the payment of council salaries.

“Let the truth be told: the State Government is not owing council salaries. It is very unfortunate that some persons are not telling the truth, rather going about deceiving the general public. In a society like ours, only the truth can set a man free.

“Local Government staff are not supposed to be paid by the State Government. The State Government since Gov. Okowa assumed office has been assisting the local government councils in the state regarding the payment of the council workers.

“Recently I was at the meeting between the State Governor and the State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress where Gov. Okowa passionately explained the true situation to them.

“According to Gov. Okowa, ‘When the allocation coming to local government councils was moved from 10 percent to a little over 20.6 percent, the primary school teachers moved to the local government councils and the state allocation which was over 30 percent was then reduced to 20 percent; the state never stopped assisting when there is money to offer an assistance to the councils’.

“From the above statement by Gov Okowa, it is clear that the State Government from the little allocation have been assisting the councils in making sure that salaries are being paid.

“In 2015, Governor Okowa released a grant of N3.26bn from the bailout funds to the councils to pay part of the salaries of teachers and Local Government employees.

“The fact that the council workers are been owed salaries does not mean the State Government should be held responsible.”

Mr. Ossai Ovie Success quoted Governor Okowa as saying recently: “Salaries owed Local Government workers is attributed to their unique salary structure, large number of staff and reduction in the allocation coming to local government councils.

“It is only in Delta State that some local government councils have the same salary structure with the state and federal government.

“Staff of the third tier of government are suffering in the state as a result of salary arrears and apart from the salary structure, some local government councils have more than 700 persons as their staff strength.”

Ossai insisted that Okowa has tried and should be commended for his love towards workers at all levels in the state. He urged the affected workers to embrace peace and support the Okowa administration.

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