Salaries And Pension To Be Paid After Recieving N10b On Paris Refund Loan – Akwa-Ibom Comissioner

…Salaries, pension arrears to be paid

Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan Tuesday confirmed that Akwa Ibom State Government has received the second part of the Paris Club Refund of N10 billion after having received the first refund last year December.

According to Nkan, during a media chat, the funds which he noted is barely enough to settle indebtedness and commitment of government, would be used to settle payment of salaries, pension arrears, arrears of gratuities and probably deferring some debt owed to contractors.

His words: “The Governor has given direction that we use the funds to pay salaries and to the extent that it can cover, also pay pensions.”

While admitting that there is pressure from various quarters, however, gave assurances that government would direct so that all parties would be touched.

Shedding light on the first Refund of N14.5billion, the Commissioner said that the State House of Assembly had captured it as strategic revenue for 2017 and was properly appropriated for.

The Finance boss noted that application of the Paris Fund has already been stipulated by the Federal Government where it is meant to be used to settle arrears of salaries and pensions.