Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Sunday, implored President Muhammadu Buhari and relevant agencies of the Federal Government to pay workers and retirees directly from the state’s share of the N522.7 billion funds to be given to states for payment of salaries and pensions.
The party, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prince Diran Odeyemi, in Osogbo, said past experiences lend credence to the fear being expressed by the party and people of the state over the funds.
The PDP expressed fear that Governor Rauf Aregbesola may not use the money for payment of salaries and pension, just as it urged the Federal Government not to back out of its plan to probe the utilisation of the bailout given to states last year for payment of salaries.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, had last week disclosed that the Federal Government had decided to hand out funds to states from the over deducted funds for the repayment of debt owed Paris Club by states.
The PDP said for the efforts of the Federal Government to stimulate the economy, relying on salaries and pensions, to yield the expected results in the state, federal Ministry of Finance should liaise with banks handling payment of salaries and pensions for workers and pensioners.
However, reacting to the position of the PDP, the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy to Aregbesola, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said “the party should lobby the Federal Government to pay Osun State’s share of N522.7 billion into their account so that they can disburse the money to the workers directly.”
He stated, “instead of pleading with the Federal Government to pay directly into the account of workers, they (PDP) should lobby the relevant federal agencies to pay the funds into the party’s account so that they can disburse it to workers through the party secretariat. They are bunch of jesters.”
But, the PDP also took a swipe on the Osun State House of Assembly for attacking the Senate because it plans to probe into how Aregbesola spent bailout given to the state last year.
The party’s statement reads in parts, “We recommend the lawmakers in the state assembly for refresher course in responsive and responsible legislative business for them to imbibe patriotic act of always staying with the popular course that will benefit the general populace.
“For attempting to shield Aregbesola from probe of special funds he received to pay salaries and pensions from Federal Government, the lawmakers are only sending signals that they partook in the diversion of the funds.”
