by Kolapo Olapoju

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose says he loses sleep over the unpaid salaries of Ekiti workers.

Fayose says needs about N7.8 billion to settle the arrears of entitlements owed public servants.

He made the statement while inaugurating projects to mark his 100 days in office in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, January 27, saying the entitlements were owed by the administration of former Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

Fayose said: “We have about N7.8bn obligation to workers in the state. The obligations were left behind by the former administration. Over N2bn as leave bonus to workers; over N1bn as deductions from workers’ salaries that the former administration did not remit; August and September 2014 salaries they did not pay some workers amounting to over N2bn; and subventions to tertiary institutions, which is over N2bn as well.”

“I don’t know where to start; sometime I cannot sleep. We did not inherit anything tangible from the former administration. The six months’ moratorium from banks that we got will lapse in two months and when that happens, banks will be deducting N780m monthly to service the over N31bn loans the former administration left behind.”

“Also, N800m is deducted from our statutory allocation monthly to service the N25bn bond that they took. We have approached four banks to borrow us money to pay at least one month out of the two months salaries owed some workers. But essential things must be done. I call for understanding from people and I am committed to making life better for the people.”

Speaking further, Fayose said he had to work hard to carry out some projects and also ensure the prompt payment of salaries, adding that the debt left behind Fayemi won’t be an excuse for him to fail to carry out his duties.