By Wole Mosadomi

Minna—Niger State House of Assembly has given the state government an approval to secure N1.85 billion overdraft facility from an old generation bank to pay the June salaries of primary school teachers and local government workers in the state.

The state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello had requested the House through a letter to give approval to apply for the loan to settle the June salaries of the workers and it was expressly approved at the session of the House yesterday.

A unanimous approval was given to the application immediately the Speaker of the House, Honourable Marafa Ahmed read the governor’s letter.

The governor, in the letter dated 29th of June, 2015 and transmitted to the House on Wednesday, 1st of July stated that the standby facility was to surge up the revenue shortfall in 2015 Local Government budget.

The Speaker, Hon. Marafa Ahmed commended his colleagues for the prompt response and understanding of the situation of the rural dwellers just as he directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Mohammed Kagara to convey the approval to the Governor.

He restated the determination of the lawmakers to give necessary support to the state governor in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The quick intervention was to forestal a looming strike by the affected local government workers who had always experienced delay in the payment of their salaries .