In a bold move to protect the interests of local government employees, the Organised Labour in Nigeria, which includes the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), has urgently appealed to the Federal Government not to delegate the payment of salaries to local governments.
The unions, operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), have proposed a comprehensive staff redistribution, placement, and auditing initiative to accurately assess the workforce of local government employees, primary school teachers, and pensioners across the country’s 774 local government areas.
This measure aims to ensure a seamless transition following the recent Supreme Court ruling granting local governments financial autonomy.
In a seven-point recommendation, JAC leaders, including NUT President Titus Amba, NULGE President Ambali Akeem, and NUP President Godwin Abumisi, emphasized the need for stability during the implementation of the new direct payment system. They have called for a one-year suspension on the recruitment of new staff within local governments, including teachers, to allow for a focus on essential developmental projects and service delivery.
“To ensure a hitch-free rollout of the direct payment system, we recommend a thorough auditing exercise to ascertain the actual number of workers,”
“This will help streamline operations and prioritize the needs of the local government workforce,” said Amba.
The JAC’s recommendations also include restructuring supervisory institutions that oversee local government employees. Proposed changes would expand statutory membership to include local government chairmen, heads of relevant unions, and other stakeholders to enhance quality control and inclusivity.
In addition to workforce management, the committee is advocating for federal intervention in local government infrastructure, recommending the procurement of essential machinery and equipment to support service delivery.
They propose that funds for this procurement be deducted from local government allocations on an installment basis.
The JAC also stresses the importance of reorganizing local government peace and security committees to improve intelligence gathering and community policing. For worker welfare, they propose that gross salaries for local government employees and primary school teachers be managed directly by their respective commissions, ensuring that funds are allocated appropriately for training, capacity building, and pensions.
Furthermore, the recommendations suggest strengthening the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs to better coordinate and supervise reforms at the local government level, thereby enhancing productivity and policy assurance.
As the Federal Government considers these proposals, the Organised Labour remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of local government workers, emphasizing that the successful implementation of these recommendations is crucial for achieving sustainable development in local governance across Nigeria.
