…backs Local Government autonomy
Director-General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Ilorin, Comrade Issa Aremu has hailed the Kwara state Governor Mallam AbdulRahman Abdulrasaaq for announcing series of innovative measures to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Comrade Aremu made the commendation in his opening address at a two-day in-plant workshop organised by MINILS for the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) at the Institute recently.
The MINILS boss explained that a cash support of N10,000 for every public sector worker in the state, which will begin this month (July) and last until a new minimum wage is introduced to enable workers to cope with the economic shocks created by the subsidy removal, is very commendable.
Comrade Aremu however, advocated for sustainable palliative programmes which should strictly be anchored by local government administration to complement the efforts of the Federal and State Governments in mitigating the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on wage income and public welfare.
He therefore commended members of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) for their consistent struggle for local government autonomy.
Aremu, who urged Nigerians to appreciate the country’s 24 years of uninterrupted democracy, argued that local governments should be regarded as the first tier of government due to the special roles they play at the grassroots, adding that the demand by NULGE for increment in salary has become necessary as that will help their members meet up with the economic realities in the country.
While making a case for local governments to be returned to their original status, he advised that 10 per cent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) meant for them be paid as at when due.
He commended the organised labour and other stakeholders for engaging the Federal government through social dialogue.
The workshop with the theme: “Sustainable Industrial Relations Harmony and Productivity Enhancement: an Imperative for Local Government Development” was attended by prominent members and some national officers of NULGE.
Ends
