By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The management of Etsako Central local government of Edo State says expenses incurred over settlement of court cases is seriously affecting its revenue, thereby hindering efforts to pay outstanding salaries and Allowances of staff.
Head of local government administration, Dr Sunday Yerumoh, stated this in Fugar in a reaction to complaints over irregular payment of salaries and allowances of Staff.
Yerumoh lamented that the council is currently battling with over seven cases in Court instituted by two former Chairmen and some contractors.
“When I assumed office in April 2021, the cases were already in Court, and we had to engage some of them to find out how to resolve the matters out of Court”
He explained that, one of the salary accounts was affected by court judgement instituted by one of the contractors that they already agreed with to be paying his debt on a monthly basis.
“Incidentally, the account was meant to pay the salaries and allowances of Staff in December. The action was later regretted by the contractor when he realized the damages caused by the closure of the account”
Dr Yerumoh appealed to all the litigants to exercise restraint and find ways of settling the matters out of Court because the cost Implication in going to court is eating deep into the finances of the local government, which depends solely on government allocation.
He also urged the staff to be patient with the management as concrete steps are being taken to reduce the backlog of arrears in no distant time.
On the moribund Mass Transit Scheme, Dr Sunday Yerumoh, noted that a committee has been set up to advice on how to revive the scheme even if it means starting with two Toyota Hiace Buses.
Yerumoh commended the socio cultural group, Fugar Progressive Union under the leadership of Barrister Richard Anetekhai, for its interventions in the area of Education, Health, Security and Tourism, urging citizens not to relent in bringing Investment towards economic growth and development of the Communities.
Our Correspondent reports that during the interactive session, those in attendance include the Director, Revenue, Mr Emmanuel Adoroh, Chairman, NULGE, Comrade Timothy Isah and the PRO, Mr Mike Odekhe.
