 The Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Alganin Delta State, Victor Ebonka, has cleared the air about the proposed burying of 40 billion Naira. Ebonka has said the fund was for the local governments and not the state government. Speaking to Newsman, he said before the state government approved, he said before the funds were released, the state government approved it in line with the law's guiding such move. The problem was inherited by the immediate past administration and also inherited by this administration. It has to do with an error in the enrollment into the contributory pension scheme. And for this shortcoming, we found ourselves owing their rights from 2016 to date. And it's been a problem at the immediate cost of this facility of 40 billion Naira out of the above 50 billion Naira that we are indebted to the pensioners. So it is exclusively in local government areas that are borrowing this money. You know, by law, you need the approver of His Excellency and you need the ratification of the House of Assembly. And that is what was sought for. And His Excellency, this present administration graciously granted this approver and facilitated the ratification of same by the House of Assembly. And to them, to the tune of about 51 billion Naira plus, out of 51 billion Naira, we are paying about 40 billion Naira. From that indication, substantial part of this accrued rise will be taken care of. And don't also forget that we are leveraging on the fact that the immediate pass administration on Senator Dr. Efei Okawa extended the retirement age of teachers with additional five years. It is this advantage we are taking. We hope that within this period will liquidate their indebtedness to them fully. And we hope there are those that we are shortchanged, will be paid the actual amount that they are indebted to. And those that are overpaid will be made to be refunded that amount and we will ensure that the actual amount will be paid. We hope to save some funds from this forensic audit. And we also re-inject this funds back into the payment of their accrued rights. And it should be noted that not dying out of this amount is going to the local government coffers. Not dying is going to the state government coffers. All of this sum will be paid directly to the pensioners. Hello, hope you enjoyed the news. Please do subscribe to our YouTube channel and don't forget to hit the notification button so you get notified about fresh news updates.