ABEOKUTA– The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ogun State Chapter has decried the poor and worrisome working conditions of workers and situation of all Local Government Infrastructures and assets in the state.
The Union during its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held in Abeokuta, the state capital thereafter called for a state of emergency amid the challenges facing the third tier of government.
Presided over by its President, Comrade Adefesobi Adebayo, the council further called for the return of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Local Government, and the full implementation of the Supreme Court judgement.
The communique reads, “The schedule 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly stipulated the functions of the Local Government but the Local Government is currently malfunctioning as result of the undue interference of the State Government on its performance.
“It is not gainsaying that some of the important revenue items of the Local Government have been taken over by the State Government. These functions include but not limited to; mobile advert, Motor Park and garages, commercial tenement rate to mention but few. This is affecting the functionality of the Local Government to deliver its required services to the people at the grassroots.
“The Union also decried the poor and worrisome working conditions of workers and situation of all Local Government Infrastructures and assets which is relegating the third tier of Government, hence affecting the service rendering to the grassroots.
“The SEC-in-Session also noted the unfair treatment meted on the Principal Personnel, of the Local Government. Most of the Local Government in Ogun State lack paraphernalia of office to their principal personnel who mostly rely on self help to carry out their official duties which did not encourage or motivate them to perform expectedly.
” The Union lamented on the unavailability of office equipments, working tools and furniture such as computer system, printing machines, chairs and tables. This did not project the Local Government as reliable Government service and will also affect our job performance.
“Your Excellency Sir, the various reforms introduced into the Local Government Service were intended to raise the quality of staff at third tier of Government. We are pleased to note that the Local Government Service have qualified practitioners that can match workers at any level of Government as well the private sector ranging from fellows of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, COREN Registered Engineers, Licensed and registered Environmental Health Officers, Medical Consultants and even to the highest academic qualification of Doctor of Philosophy Ph.D in its employ like in other services.
“The Head of Local Government Administration is the Administrative and career Head of each Local Government. At the state level, we have observed that the Heads of various services have been placed on consolidated salary scale. For instance, the Head of Housing and Water Corporations as well as the Secretary of the State Judicial Commission and General Managers of other Corporations/Parastatals are enjoying this scale.
“It is in line with this wind of change intended to enhance job performance that we humbly request Your Excellency to extend this gesture to cover our Heads of Local Government Administration in this state.
“Your Excellency, we are also encouraged to make this request in view of the fact that some of our neighbouring states like Ondo and Osun have adopted and implemented the Consolidated Salary Scale for this category of staff.
“We believe it is within the discretionary powers of Your Excellency to do so, and we shall forever remain grateful if you extend this kind gesture to Heads of Local Government Administration in our dear Gateway State known to be gateway to every good things.
“The Union also frowned at the failure of the State Government to implement the Memorandum of Action (MOA) reached with the Organized labour in Ogun State on 14th July, 2025 on the Contributory Pension Scheme which has dashed the hope of retirees in Ogun State Local Government Service.
“Since the declaration of the Supreme Court Judgment of 11th July, 2024, on the direct allocation to the Local Government, Ogun State Government has refused to implement the directive and that is affecting the functionality of the Local Government as third tier of the Government.
Arising from the above, the SEC-in-Session hereby resolved as follows:
“That the union demands the immediate implementation of full autonomy to the Local Government in line with Supreme Court Judgment delivered on 11th July, 2024. The National Assembly (NASS) Lawfully pronouncement on same and subsequent declaration of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
“That NULGE as an affiliate of NLC is working in tandem with the Organized Labour to pull out from the Memorandum of Action (MOA) reached with Ogun State Government on the implementation of Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as a result of renege on the agreement from the Government side”.
