The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has demanded a significant increase of 300 per cent in the minimum wage for workers across all sectors. The call for the wage hike comes in response to the inflation caused by the removal of fuel subsidies, particularly affecting local government staff.
During the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, NULGE National President, Mr Ambali Olatunji, emphasized the urgent need for the wage increment. He argued that a 300 per cent rise in the minimum wage is necessary for all local government workers, as well as other public servants and private sector employees.
The union also expressed concerns about the state of local government administration, attributing it to the overbearing influence of state governors, which has resulted in infrastructural decay, poverty, and unemployment in local governments nationwide. In response to these challenges, NULGE called for a state of emergency to be declared on local government administration.
Additionally, NULGE urged the government to create a special intervention fund through the Ministry of Special Duty to address social welfare and infrastructural decay issues in collaboration with local governments.
Furthermore, the union requested the establishment of a special agency by the federal government to collaborate with local government administrations in managing the development and transformation of rural areas.
The union also expressed concern about the impact of insecurity on food production and called for the establishment of special vigilantes to protect farmers.
NULGE acknowledged the efforts of the federal and state governments to mitigate the effects of economic policies on citizens. However, they urged the government to utilize the 800 million dollars from the World Bank to provide mass transit and other interventions to meet the transportation needs of the masses.
To support low-income earners and small-scale entrepreneurs, NULGE proposed tax rebates or holidays to encourage and sustain their businesses.
The union condemned recent attacks on local government secretariats in several states and called for the reopening of the 17 local governments in Plateau, which were shut down due to alleged political crises.
