We owe Plateau civil servants only two months’ salaries: Lalong

Governor Simon Lalong’s administration says it owes Plateau civil servants only two months’ salaries and not six.

Sunday Hyat, the head of the civil service in Plateau, stated in a statement on Saturday in Jos.

“My attention has been drawn to an online publication indicating that the Plateau government is among the states owing its civil servants up to six months’ salary. For the avoidance of doubt, I want to make it categorically clear to the public that the government only owes its workers two months’ salary,” said Mr Hyat.

According to Mr Hyat, Mr Lalong makes the welfare of civil servants a top priority and is making frantic efforts to clear the outstanding salaries.

He attributed the inability of Mr Lalong’s government to be up-to-date in the payment of salaries to shortfalls from the federal government’s monthly allocation to Plateau.

”We are aware of the commitment that our governor has on the welfare of civil servants that in the last seven years of his administration, salaries have been paid as and when due,” stated the civil service chief. “The setback being experienced is as a result of revenue shortfall from the federation account of which Plateau is not immune to. I want to assure all workers that efforts are being made to clear the backlog of these two months’ salary on or before the month of November this year.”

He appealed to the workers to be patient, adding that Mr Lalong’s government was trying to address the issue.