The Organised Labour groups in Nigeria, including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), have made a series of proposals aimed at improving the operations of local government following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on financial autonomy for local governments. This ruling, which grants local governments the right to direct remittance of federal allocations, has prompted the unions to put forward recommendations to ensure the smooth implementation of this system.
Key Proposals by Joint Action Committee (JAC)
Operating under the Joint Action Committee (JAC), a coalition of unions representing local government-based workers, the unions have outlined a set of actions to support effective governance and service delivery in the country’s 774 local government areas. These recommendations include:
1. Staff Redistribution and Auditing
- The unions have proposed an immediate staff redistribution, placement, and auditing exercise to determine the actual number of local government workers, primary school teachers, and pensioners. This measure will help provide accurate data for more effective management of human resources across local governments.
2. One-Year Embargo on New Recruitment
- JAC has recommended a one-year embargo on recruitment of new staff into local governments and schools. This freeze will begin from the date of the Supreme Court judgment on direct payment to local governments. The aim is to stabilize the system and allow local governments to focus on developmental projects rather than expanding the workforce.
3. Restructuring Supervisory Institutions
- The unions also advocate for a comprehensive restructuring of institutions responsible for supervising local government workers. This includes expanding the membership of supervisory bodies to ensure greater inclusivity and quality control. The recommendation involves adding local government chairmen, union leaders, and other stakeholders to key supervisory boards.
4. Membership in Local Government Commissions
- JAC proposes that the Local Government Service Commission should include representatives from the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and NULGE. Similarly, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) should include representatives from ALGON and NUT. These additions are aimed at ensuring all relevant voices are included in decision-making processes.
5. Inclusion in Pension Boards
- The Local Government Staff Pension Board should also have representation from ALGON, NUP, NULGE, and NUT to ensure fairness and inclusivity in managing pension funds for local government workers and retirees.
6. Primary Health Care Agency Involvement
- In addition, JAC recommends that the Primary Health Care Agency at the local government level should include health practitioners and ALGON members to enhance healthcare services.
Infrastructure and Service Delivery Challenges
JAC raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure and capacity for service delivery in many local government areas. To address these issues, they have called on the federal government to intervene by providing essential equipment like:
- Tractors, graders, and bulldozers for public works.
- Refuse disposal trucks and septic evacuation vans for sanitation.
- Public address systems for community engagement.
- Materials for vocational training centers to boost local skill development.
The funding for this procurement would be deducted gradually from local government allocations over time to avoid immediate financial strain.
Enhancing Peace and Security at the Local Level
JAC also proposes the reorganization of the Peace and Security Committee in local governments. This would include:
- Indexing and registration of personnel.
- Kitting and intelligence gathering to enhance local policing.
- Regular bi-monthly meetings funded and coordinated by the local government to ensure community safety.
Worker Welfare and Capacity Building
To promote worker welfare and maintain industrial harmony within local governments, JAC has recommended several financial measures:
- The gross salary of local government workers should be paid directly from the Local Government Service Commission.
- A 2% allocation from total local government funds should be set aside for the running costs of the Service Commission, which would also be used for training and capacity-building programs for staff.
- For teachers, 1.5% of local government funds should be allocated to SUBEB for similar purposes.
- A 25% deduction from the combined salaries of local government workers and teachers should be allocated to pensions and gratuities, managed by the Local Government Staff Pension Board.
Grants for Traditional Councils
In addition, 5% of local government allocations should be granted to traditional councils, with funds remitted directly to traditional council accounts to support local governance and cultural leadership.
Strengthening the Federal Ministry of Special Duties
JAC recommends empowering the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs as the supervisory ministry for local governments. This would ensure that local government operations are coordinated, with reforms continuously reviewed through quarterly summits. The ministry would also spearhead the periodic review of the Local Government Scheme of Service, ensuring that policies are updated every five years for enhanced productivity.
The proposed measures are aimed at ensuring local governments across Nigeria are better equipped to deliver essential services, improve infrastructure, and manage their workforce efficiently under the newly granted financial autonomy. By addressing both administrative and operational issues, the unions hope to create a more stable and productive local government system that can focus on developmental projects and service delivery without being burdened by unnecessary recruitment or mismanagement of resources.
