Osun Govt Clarifies LG Salary Payments, Explains Status of ₦230bn Withheld Allocation

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By Waliu Adetokun,Osogbo

The Osun State Government has clarified its position on the payment of local government workers’ salaries amid public concerns over the alleged hijacking of council allocations.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, dismissed claims that local government workers are not receiving their salaries, describing such narratives as misleading.

According to him, there has been no interruption in the payment of core salaries to local government employees across the state.

“There has been no disruption in salary payments. Salaries are being paid in full and as at when due,” the commissioner stated.

Alimi explained that although local government allocations have allegedly been withheld for nearly one year amounting to about ₦230 billion the state government has continued to fund salary payments from its own resources.

He noted that the administration of Ademola Adeleke intervened to ensure workers do not suffer financial hardship despite the challenges posed by the withheld funds.

However, the commissioner acknowledged that the situation has affected the payment of certain allowances and supplementary entitlements typically funded from statutory local government allocations.

He said such allowances are structurally tied to funds accruing directly to the local government system and cannot be fully met without access to the withheld allocations.
“The withheld funds were meant to support grassroots administration, development projects, operational responsibilities, and worker related benefits at the local level. Their absence has inevitably constrained the financial structure supporting these obligations,” Alimi added.

He reiterated that while allowances and other supplementary payments have been impacted, core salaries remain consistent and uninterrupted.

The commissioner assured workers that their welfare remains a priority for the state government, emphasizing that the continued payment of salaries demonstrates the administration’s commitment despite prevailing financial constraints.