ALGON CALLS ON FG TO REVIEW FEDERAL ALLOCATION TO 774 LGs IN THE COUNTRY TO ENABLE THEM THE PROPOSED N62,000 MINIMUM WAGE 09-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON has called on the federal government to commence the process of an upward review of federal allocation to the 774 local councils across the country to enable them to pay the proposed 62, 000 Naira National Minimum wage.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Aminu Maifata made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia the Nasarawa State capital.
He stated that the call became imperative considering the low percentage of revenue allocation from the federation account to the third tier of government.
Alhaji Maifata explained that the local councils in the country get just a little above 18 per cent from the Federation Account monthly which according to him is grossly inadequate and practically impossible to pay workers at the third tier of government the proposed N62,000 National Minimum Wage.
The ALGON National President noted that over the years, local councils in Nigeria could not afford to carry out their statutory roles of providing social and infrastructural services to the people due to limited funds pointing out that the proposed minimum wage was tantamount to adding more burden to the third tier of government if steps were not taken.
He said that apart from payment of wages, the local government administration had other responsibilities including the provision of affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institutions, and rural roads.
Alhaji Maifata stated that all local government chairmen across the country were in support of the wage increment as according to him, civil servants were the wealth creators of the nation and deserve better living conditions.
The ALGON leader also stressed the need to amend the nation’s constitution to harmonize the tenure of the office of local government chairmen for four years to engender seamless administration at the grassroots.