Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo
Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas on Tuesday flagged off the payment of five months salary arrears to local government retirees and workers across the sixteen LG areas of the state.
Kefas, while speaking during the flag off in Ardo-Kola LGA of the state, said the five months salary arrears were owed by the previous administration.
Kefas, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government, Traditions and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr Andrew Godfrey Dame hinted that the decision of the governor to offset the payment of the arrears owed by past administrations was not political.
“I want Tarabans and indeed Nigerians to know that my decision to pay the salary arrears of all local government workers was not political but to give local government workers and retirees their due benefit.
“The payment will be made to workers on instalment basis, we are commencing with the payment of month and when things improve, we will pay the remaining months” he said.
He tasked Council Chairman across the state to be transparent and ensured that even the children of those who have died get theirs.
He informed that the five months salary arrears was owed since 2015 which was eleven years ago.
“I decided to pay after eleven years because it is bad to stress workers and retirees who struggled to feed and provide for their respective families.
Speaking on behalf of the Workers and retirees, Comrade Elnathan Bila Auta appreciated God and the governor over his care for workers and retirees in Taraba state,
He noted that governor Kefas has displayed humanity that is beyond human comprehension.
“Dr Agbu Kefas’ approval of the immediate payment of five (5) months’ salary arrears owed to local government workers across Taraba State is one of such decision. It is not merely the settlement of outstanding salaries; it is the restoration of hope, dignity, and confidence in government.
“The approval covers two (2) months of arrears inherited from the administration of Senator Sani Danladi during his tenure as Acting Governor in 2014 and three (3) months inherited from the administration of former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku between 2015 and 2023. These were liabilities accumulated over different administrations, yet they have found resolution under one leadership.
“The beneficiaries include local government workers, primary school teachers, traditional council staff, and local government pensioners; the very people whose services sustain governance at the grassroots.
“For years, many of them carried the burden of unpaid entitlements. Today, that burden is gradually being lifted as payments, flagged off in Ardo Kola Local Government Area by the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government, Traditions and Chieftaincy Affairs, Engr. Godfrey Dame Andrew, commenced on Tuesday, 4th August, 2026, and will continue in instalments until all approved beneficiaries are paid.
“The payment of these arrears is significant because local government employees remain the engine room of governance. They teach in our primary schools, keep our traditional institutions functioning, administer our local councils, and continue to serve society even after retirement. When their welfare is neglected, governance suffers. When they are paid, families are strengthened, local economies are stimulated, and confidence in government is renewed,” the statement read.
