The Bayelsa State Government on Thursday confirmed that it had received N1.24 billion from the Federal Government as bailout fund.
The government said the money was its of the financial package given to states.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief John Jonah, disclosed this in Yenagoa during the government’s income and expenditure briefing for January.
He said the fund would be used to clear the backlog of salaries owed workers by the eight local government councils in the state.
Jonah said the money was ready before the December 2015 governorship election in the state, but alleged that Federal Government refused to release it.
According to him, the government did not release it because they said Governor Seriake Dickson would use it for his re-election bid.
He said: “Yes, the money has been transferred to us now.
“It was ready before the governorship election and they felt that if the money was given to us, we will use it for election.
“They also felt that even if you pay salaries with it then, it will be a morale booster, so you will gain.
“So, they stopped it.
“Election is over, so we have to go through the process again and now we have the money.”
Jonah clarified that the bailout was not a gift from the Federal Government, adding that the benefiting councils would pay back according to the proportion they would each receive.
He said the money was given to Bayelsa State based on the requirements of the councils, explaining that it was for this reason all councils would not receive the same amount of money.
He said: “Some councils are owing more than others, so they will get more than what others will get.
“Councils that will get twice more than others will pay back twice more than what others will pay.”
The News Agency of Nigeria gathered that council workers in the state are owed between eight and 10 months’ salary.
It would be recalled that in January 2016, the state government accused the Federal Government of depriving it of the bailout fund.
NAN.
Trending
- Police uncover ‘yahoo yahoo’ training centre, arrest ‘teachers’, 29 others
- Mswizz advocates discovering, building local talent in music industry
- Man steals Toyota Corolla from car shop where he works as security man
- CP trains personnel, reviews modus operandi on criminal investigation
- Customs seizes donkey bones, tramadol, others worth N3.1b
- Lawyer shot dead while alighting from car
- Prophet Ayodele to Jacob Zuma: How to avoid going to jail
- Group to FG, Labour: Approach minimum wage with caution