The financial burden on the Kwara State government has escalated, with unpaid gratuities for retired workers reaching N19,017,778,864.40 as of December 31, 2023, according to documents obtained by SaharaReporters.
This figure marks a significant increase from the N16,915,585,487.22 recorded at the end of 2022, underscoring persistent difficulties in the administration of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to clear retirement benefits.
The state’s financial statement for 2023 also revealed other pressing liabilities, including unpaid contractor arrears and litigation debts. Unsettled payments to contractors for completed and ongoing projects rose sharply to N7,811,950,730.71, compared to N4,258,082,575.09 in the previous year. These delays have stalled several infrastructure and development initiatives across the state.
Meanwhile, litigation liabilities—debts stemming from legal cases against the government—remained unchanged at N1,249,458,011.73. These contingent liabilities continue to pose risks to the state’s financial health, which is already under significant strain.
The growing debt profile reflects the challenges the Kwara State government faces in managing its financial commitments while addressing competing resource demands. Residents and stakeholders have expressed concerns about the potential impact on essential services and ongoing projects, urging the government to prioritize the payment of gratuities and contractor arrears to restore economic stability and public confidence.
