The Kwara State Government has clarified the circumstances surrounding the delayed salary payments for some employees, specifically regarding their November 2024 compensation. According to officials from the Ministry of Finance, a key factor impeding the disbursement is the failure of several workers to complete their mandatory registration with the Kwara State Resident Registration Agency (KWSRRA). This essential registration process has been open for over six months, and it was previously mandated that salaries would only be distributed to those who complied. As of December 2, 2024, state workers were urged to promptly resolve any registration issues by visiting their local KWSRRA offices to facilitate the release of their payments.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Hauwa Nuru, as represented by Babatunde Abdulrasheed, indicated that while many state employees had received their November salaries, those who had not were primarily those lacking KWSRRA registration. The disbursement of salaries was noted to be ongoing, with a significant number of government employees across various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) already having received their payments. As this marked the first salary release since the registration initiative commenced, the government is implementing the payments in batches to ensure thorough verification of personnel data and biometrics as part of their payroll processes.
This initiative aims not only to ensure the accuracy and integrity of payroll data but also to enhance overall efficiency, public accountability, and resource allocation. Amid these adjustments, local government employees and teachers under the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have reportedly received their salaries after being cleared through the KWSRRA system. The state’s approach reflects a strategic commitment to improve service quality transparency, with a strong push for all state employees to register as a matter of priority for improved governance and accountability.
In light of the new regulations, the Kwara State Government previously declared that any worker failing to register with the KWSRRA would forfeit their salary payments. To accommodate those who missed the initial registration window, officials made provisions for additional registration days on November 13 and November 18. This act of consideration underscores the administration’s intent to facilitate compliance and ensure that workers are not unduly penalized amid the registration process.
Additionally, communication from the Acting General Manager of the KWSRRA has reiterated the importance of completing the registration to all civil servants within the state’s various MDAs, including SUBEB and local government personnel. The stated venue for the supplemental registration was confirmed to be the Banquet Hall opposite the state government house in Ilorin. The government emphasizes that this registration process is essential not only for salary disbursement but also for broader improvements in governance and service delivery within the state.
Moving forward, the Kwara State Government remains dedicated to maintaining a reliable schedule for salary payments, which has historically been a hallmark of the administration led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. The concerted effort to digitize and modernize the payroll process through the KWSRRA will likely yield benefits that extend beyond immediate salary concerns, contributing to long-term fiscal sustainability and greater public trust in state operations.
