The immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disagreed with his successor, Ademola Adeleke, that his administration left a debt portfolio of N76billion in unpaid salaries, pensions, and insurance commitments.
A statement by the spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, obtained in Osogbo on Thursday, said the figure was given by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Bimpe Ogunlumade, while briefing officials of the new administration on the financial status of the state.
According to the statement, “The breakdown of the salaries and pension-related liabilities as disclosed by the permanent secretary are as follows: Salary: N29,875,191,128.64; Pension Arrears: N45,375,237,693.40; and Group Life Assurance Scheme: N554,644,028.97; giving a total of N75,805,072,851.01.”
It further said the disclosure was contrary to the claim by the ex-governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, that he left a sum of N14billion in cash for the new government.
The state government stated that the figure was not the total debt left by the past administration, as briefings on other sources of liabilities had not been completed.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered the submission of salary schedule to relevant office within the next 24 hours.
Rasheed further stated that Adeleke issued the directive after taking briefing from the State Ministry of Finance.
“Top officials of the ministry had attributed the delay in salary payment to the failure of some agencies to submit their salary schedule on time.
“Governor Adeleke consequently directed immediate conclusion of the processes, affirming that his administration is averse to inconveniences the delay has forced on the state workforce.”
