Read How Kwara State Govt Spent N5Billion Paris Club Loan Deduction

By Bisi Adedayo, Ilorin.

Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed has revealed how his administration expended the N5 billion collected from the Federal Government as refunds from the London and Paris Club loans.

The Governor explained that N1.890 billion was released to local governments and State’s tertiary institutions to offset their November salaries.

“The balance would be channeled into critical infrastructural projects and other people-oriented programmes across the state, such as the small and medium scale enterprise Scheme”, he added.

Ahmed who gave the breakdown of the State’s share of the loan refunds at a send-off ceremony for retired permanent secretaries in the State, said the explanation became expedient in view of “some unfounded claims the refunds have generated”.

He, however, assured the people of the state that the government was still expecting additional refunds from the Federal Government in the coming months, saying “when it is received, it will go towards recurrent expenditure, on-going and new capital projects as well as other programmes like boosting the informal sector and Community Health Insurance Scheme”.

The Governor also commended the retirees for their selfless service and dedication towards ensuring the smooth running of the State civil service.

Earlier, the State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Zahra Omar said the event was the maiden edition in honour of 53 retired permanent secretaries some years back, adding that the intention was to appreciate them for their selfless contributions to the development and growth of the State.