The Taraba State Bureau for Local Government, Traditions, and Chieftaincy Affairs has addressed concerns over the delayed payment of February 2025 salaries for local government staff, attributing the setback to the state’s failure to receive its statutory allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.
In a statement released yesterday, the bureau’s permanent secretary, Godfrey Dame Andrew, reassured workers that the delay was unintentional and that the government remained committed to their welfare.
“The government is resolute in its commitment to local government staff and assures them that salaries will be paid as soon as the allocation is received,” the statement read.
Despite this assurance, affected workers across Taraba’s 16 local government councils have voiced their frustration, criticising what they describe as the state government’s lacklustre response.
In interviews with our reporter, workers who expressed sadness over the delay pointed to neighbouring Adamawa State, where Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was reported to have used part of the state’s internally generated revenue to cover February salaries.
The workers, who claimed that their families have been going cap in hand seeking survival, urged the state governor, Dr Agbu Kefas, to follow suit instead of waiting for federal allocations.
“Why must we always rely on FAAC before receiving our salaries?” one worker asked. “We know the state generates significant revenue, yet resources are being wasted on projects that don’t directly benefit the people. This delay is making life unbearable for us and our families.”
With Ramadan underway, most of the workers contacted said the salary delay was affecting their ability to observe the fast properly, urging the government to address the issue before the fasting period ends.
As discontent grows, it remains to be seen whether the state government will explore alternative funding sources or continue waiting for FAAC disbursement to settle the outstanding wages.