Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), has called on the National Assembly to reintroduce the Local Government Autonomy Bill.
Rising from its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, a communique jointly signed by NULGE National President and General Secretary, Comrades Ambali Akeem Olatunji, and Isah Gambo, the Union said that local government system is sacrosanct in the actualisation of national development in Nigeria.
The communique in part said, “NEC-in-Session commend the National Assembly and all the States that positively considered and accented to the Local Government Autonomy Bill. Unfortunately, it did not sail through the required two-thirds of the entire States to complete the process.
“Therefore, NEC-in-Session call on the National Assembly to reintroduce the passage for the urgent and unequivocal implementation of Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria. The Local Government System will have a pride of place in the nation’s development.”
Furthermore, NULGE advocates for local government schemes of service. The communique said; “NEC-in-Session having recognised the evolving landscape and the importance of efficient governance at the grassroots level, hereby advocating for a timely and thorough revision of the scheme of service by the National Council of Establishment to ensure optimal functionality and service delivery by our members in the Local Government in Nigeria.
“We urge relevant authorities to initiate the process of reviewing the Scheme of Service without delay. A forward looking and inclusive approach to this revision is essential for building resilient and effective Local Government Systems that can adapt to the evolving needs of our communities.”
NULGE also lends its voice to the call for a living wage for Nigerian workers. The union said; “In the light of economic realities and the need for fair compensation, the NEC-in-Session emphasise the importance of reviewing and adjusting minimum wages for Nigeria Workers and to enable adequate remuneration as a matter of social justice and also a catalyst for economic wellbeing.
“NULGE hereby call upon the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Committee on minimum wage review recently inaugurated and other relevant authorities to expedite action and to conclude the process before the expiration of Minimum Wage Act that will expire by March, 2024. ”
NULGE further calls for an upward pension allowance review of retirees in Nigeria to the tune of 100% for them to be able to cope with their challenges.
“It is our collective responsibility to honour the contributions of retirees and ensure their well-deserved financial security is sustained.“