A State Governor in Nigeria, Prof. Babagana Zulum has released the sum N700 million for the payment of 2022 leave grants to local government workers across Borno state.

Commissioner for Local Governments and Emirates Affairs, Sugun Mai Mele announced the payment on Monday in Maiduguri, while speaking addressing journalists.

The Commissioner explained that payment had already been made in to the accounts of the 27 local government areas.

Mele said, Zulum had warned that on no basis should the money be diverted for any project other than payment of the leave grants.

He noted that the ministry will take stringent action against officials of any local government area who fail to pay the leave grants by using the funds for something else.

The Commissioner said that the ministry had already directed the LGAs in a circular to pay digitally and avoid table payment.

Mele said aside the leave grants, after the ongoing computations and ground works are completed, payment for the outstanding gratituies for 2022 would also be announced.

The commissioner recalled that since assumption of office, Zulum has made severe and sustained efforts towards re-establishing civil authority in the local government areas.

He said the governor has sustained the constant payment of state and local governments’ staff salaries and pensions at the end of every month.

Meanwhile, the commissioner has conveyed the governor’s gratitude to the leadership of the Nigerian Union of local government employees (NULGE), the Nigerian Union of Teachers and all other unions for their support for his administration.

He however solicited workers’ continued support to the Zulum’s adminstration as they have always done.