The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has approved a financial incentive that is equivalent to the monthly ‘pay as you earn’ (PAYE) obligation for every civil servant in the state, including local government workers.
The state’s commissioner for Finance, Dr Hawa Nuru, announced this in a statement signed by the press secretary of the ministry, Babatunde AbdulRasheed, a copy of which was made available to LEADERSHIP on Monday.
The commissioner said: “The emergency support measure will last for at least three months.
“This bonus has been approved as a buffer to bridge the gap that the correct PAYE deduction may have wrought on the newly implemented minimum wage. It is meant to serve as a soothing balm as workers adjust to the PAYE that was just correctly implemented in line with the Personal Income Tax Act.
“The payment of the bonus is effective from October and will run till December 2024. This is a significant step by His Excellency to support workers.”
Mrs Nuru added that workers who have not registered with the Kwara State Residents’ Registration Agency (KWSRRA) should do so immediately because anyone without it will not get the bonus for November and December.
She said labour unions have also agreed to a refund of the special levy deducted from workers’ salaries and suspension of deductions of same until further notice.
“Governor AbdulRazaq’s directive to deliver this relief speaks volumes about his humanity and his commitment to the welfare of Kwara workforce,” she added.
