The Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), has urgently called on the Federal Government not to allocate workers’ salaries directly to local governments (LGs).
This plea comes as part of a broader proposal for enhancing local government efficiency in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to LGs.
Under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of local government-based unions, the Organised Labour has recommended a comprehensive staff redistribution, placement, and auditing exercise to accurately determine the number of local government workers, primary school teachers, and pensioners across the 774 local government areas nationwide.
NUT President Titus Amba, NULGE President-General Ambali Akeem, and NUP President Godwin Abumisi presented a seven-point recommendation plan aimed at ensuring a smooth transition to the direct payment system following the Supreme Court’s decision.
They emphasized that “for a hitch-free takeoff of the direct payment system, JAC recommends that there should be staff redistribution, placement, and auditing exercise to ascertain the actual numbers of local government workers, primary school teachers, and pensioners.”
The JAC further proposed a one-year recruitment freeze for new staff in local governments and schools from the date of the Supreme Court judgment to maintain stability and allow local governments to concentrate on developmental projects and efficient service delivery.
Additionally, the committee urged for the restructuring of supervisory institutions governing local government workers, advocating for the inclusion of relevant stakeholders such as local government chairmen and heads of local government unions in these bodies to enhance quality control and inclusivity.
To improve the Local Government Service Commission’s efficiency, JAC suggested that statutory membership should also involve representatives from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and NULGE. Similarly, it proposed that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) include representatives from ALGON and NUT, while the Local Government Staff Pension Board should feature representatives from ALGON, NUP, NULGE, and NUT.
Recognizing the pressing infrastructural deficits and capacity challenges faced by many local governments, the JAC has also called for federal intervention in the procurement of essential equipment, including tractors, graders, bulldozers, refuse disposal vans, septic evacuation vans, and vocational skill acquisition materials. They suggested that the cost of these procurements should be deducted from local government allocations over time on an installment basis.
As the Organised Labour continues to advocate for the rights and welfare of local government workers and pensioners, their proposals aim to fortify the framework for effective governance and service delivery at the grassroots level.