The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on the Federal Government’s Implementation Committee to expedite the submission of the framework for local government financial autonomy, recently endorsed by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
NULGE stressed the importance of this framework in ensuring that long-sought financial independence for local governments becomes a reality, marking a crucial step towards grassroots development.
Contained in a communiqué released following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja and signed by NULGE President General, Comrade Olatunji Hakeem Ambali, the union extended its gratitude to President Tinubu and the Supreme Court for championing this cause. According to the communiqué, local government autonomy would facilitate accelerated growth at the grassroots, a long-overdue reform that the union has been advocating for decades.
The union also demanded that the Federal Government ensure free, fair, and credible local government elections across the country by October 2024. NULGE expressed concerns over the use of caretaker committees and sole administrators, imposed by state governments, to govern local councils. Such practices, the union argued, undermine democratic processes and must end.
Further, NULGE called for the immediate implementation of the new national minimum wage, as previously approved by the Federal Government. The union stressed the need for this to commence by October 2024, warning that delays would exacerbate the hardships faced by Nigerian workers in the face of rising inflation and economic pressures. NULGE underscored the necessity of this wage adjustment to help local government workers cope with the increasing cost of living.
The trade union also emphasised the need to review the 2014 Local Government Scheme of Service to ensure equitable and functional operations within local government structures. The union believes this review is critical for enhancing the effectiveness of local government personnel in delivering essential services to communities.
The NEC went further to propose the implementation of several recommendations from the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Local Government-Based Unions, which includes NULGE, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP).
“The recommendations are designed to address critical operational issues within local governments, including restructuring supervisory institutions for better oversight of local government workers. Enhancing infrastructural support. Improving community peace and security. Prioritising salary and emoluments as a first-line charge. Strengthening the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs as the supervisory body for local governments. Promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability. Ensuring equitable distribution of local government workers to streamline salary payments.” The communique added.
NULGE also expressed sympathy for the victims of recent flooding in Borno and other affected states. The union commended the efforts of state governors and Nigerians who contributed relief materials to affected families while praying for the repose of the souls lost to the disaster.
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