The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Kwara State has raised concerns over the non-payment of salary arrears owed to workers by past administrations, accusing the present government led by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of diverting local government funds.
According to a statement released by the State President of NULGE, Comrade Seun Oyinlade, the state government’s recent claim that the salary arrears were not incurred by the current administration is deemed untenable.
Comrade Seun pointed out that despite a significant increase in the FAAC allocation since the emergence of the administration, the payment of local government workers’ salary arrears has not been prioritized.
The union leader alleged that the state government, through the Ministry of Finance, has diverted local government funds, leading to frustration and redundancy in local government administration. He further claimed that even the arrears of salaries inherited since 2020 have not been given priority.
Comrade Seun expressed concern over the discontinuation of the N10,000 palliatives paid to local government workers from the local government allocation since November 2023, without regard for the challenges faced by the workers.
He criticized the administration, stating that despite claiming not to tamper with local government allocations, it has become insensitive to the plight of workers and is determining local government affairs without due consideration.
The NULGE leader emphasized the principle of continuity in government and called for the prioritization of the payment of salary arrears owed to workers, fulfilling the promises made by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
Comrade Seun urged the state government to take swift action to commence the payment of the salary arrears, emphasizing that it is not a request for anything special but a fulfillment of the promises made to the workers. He cautioned that a delay in addressing the issue could lead to trade disputes.
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