The Lagos State Government, on Tuesday, paid N489,019,913.95 as severance allowances to past political office holders at the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas of the state.
The political office holders had served between 2004 and 2007, during the second term of former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Bolaji Robert, distributed the cheques to the 715 beneficiaries in Alausa, Ikeja.
Robert said, “The 715 political office holders were not paid their severance then because of the disagreement between the state government and the Federal Government on the creation of 37 LCDAs.
“The FG subsequently withheld all statutory allocations due to Lagos State for that period in a bid to cripple the entire councils with a paucity of funds. This was why the first set of people who served as political appointees in the various councils was not paid till their tenure lapsed in 2007.”
On her part, the Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs Kikelomo Bolarinwa, thanked the beneficiaries for their service to the state’s development.
“Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and this is why Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has graciously approved this presentation of severance allowances to commend and appreciate you for your admirable efforts as past political office holders and government functionaries,” she stated. (Punch)