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Tag: NULGE

  • NULGE chairman killed in Osun fire

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, Tajudeen Alabi, was burnt to death yesterday in an early morning fire at Ikire.

    Alabi was reportedly trapped in the fire, which consumed property worth millions in three shops on Odeyinka Road, headquarters of Irewole council.

    An eyewitness, identified simply as Yinka, said the fire started around 1 am, blaming the incident on power surge.

    He said: “We were asleep when the IBEDC restored power around 1 am yesterday. We heard people screaming and shouting for help, but the locked shops and the deceased’s house hindered us from getting close to the scene.

    “Initially, we thought it was something else until we saw smoke. We tried to force the door open, and the boys in the area assisted to stop the fire, but it was too late. We could not do much.”

    Also, a former Executive Secretary, Oduwole Basiru Iyanda, described the late NULGE chairman as nice, loving and jovial.

  • NULGE takes autonomy battle to state assemblies

    NULGE takes autonomy battle to state assemblies

    The Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has put in place measures to ensure that state assemblies pass the local government autonomy bill, its National Executive Council (NEC) has said.

    At its meeting in Abuja, NULGE resolved to declare a national day of prayers to make the members of houses of assembly support councils’autonomy.

    The association’s  President, Comrade Ibraheem Khaleel, said the union would sustain its advocacy and ensure that the constitution review was achieved.

    Khaleel pointed out that the statement credited to the Speaker of theHouse of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, that the state assemblies should be held responsible, if the proposal failed was very sensitive.

    Khaleel said apart from organising prayers across all the 774 local governments, the association would sensitise state assemblies and councillors to approve local government autonomy.

    He pointed out that since the National Assembly had approved the proposal and transmitted it to the state assemblies, the union would  ensure that the state legislatures approved it.

    On the mass sack of workers in Kaduna State, Comrade Khaleel said the union had agreed to support the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in organising a mass action against the “anti-workers and people policy” of Governor el-Rufai.

    He pointed out that NULGE would organise its members across the country to converge on Kaduna and participate in the protest.

    He said the anti-people policies of the Kaduna State governor and the activities of a cabal surrounding the president had disconnected President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Nigerians.

    The union, which regretted that President Buhari and the APC came to power on the mantra of change, with promises to create employment for Nigerians, said the major political office holders in the government, especially the Kaduna State governor, had done the opposite.

    Specifically, NULGE said the sack of 22, 000 teachers and 4, 000 local government workers in Kaduna  by el-Rufai lacked merit and was against civil service rules.

  • NASS to support local government autonomy

    NASS to support local government autonomy

    Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday in Abuja said the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that local government administration in the country got autonomy.

    He made this known at the Retreat of the Secretary to Government of the Federation ( SGF ) and Secretaries to State Governments ( SSGs ).

    Represented Chief Whip of the House, Mr Ado Doguwa, he spoke on “Local Government Autonomy: Imperative for Sustainable Grassroots Development’’, said autonomy was the right for local governments to operate independently.

    He said that autonomy for the councils was essential for development to get to the grassroots.

    “As long as we want development to get to the door-step of our people, the autonomy is necessary.

    “This is the institutional position of the national assembly in line with the provisions of the law.

    “The national assembly will continue to remain resolute to ensure that local government autonomy is achieved in Nigeria.

    “We will continue to take advantage of the legislative right given to us to ensure that local government autonomy is realised.

    “The local government chairmen are in bondage inflicted on them by the governors and this bondage must be released to ensure development at the grassroots level,’’ he said.

    According to the speaker, the state governments abuse the Constitution in relation to the Joint Account, which they are meant to be mere trustees and not beneficiaries.

    Read also: How local government can get autonomy, by Oyo Speaker

    He explained that state governments took over the joint account meant for the state and the local government.

    “The state government which are believed to be mature must be seen to be doing exactly what the Constitution has stipulated in relation to the joint account.

    “If this is not done, the right thing will not be achieved.’’

    Dogara commended the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, for resuscitating the retreat.

    Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Khaleed, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees ( NULGE ), had said that rural-urban migration would greatly be addressed through the actualisation of local government autonomy.

    Khaleed added that local government was a critical tier in government, and that some constitutional reforms must be made to bridge the gap between the government and the people.

    According to him, the local government system in Nigeria has been destroyed and the essence of local government establishment is not achieved.

    “Local government was established to bring development to the citizens at the local area, but the system has completely been bastardised and the essence of its establishment has not been achieved.

    “We are advocating for autonomy not because of increase in wages or welfare for staff but to make sure we contribute our quota in national development.

    “The local government system in the United States of America is one of the best and it is independent,’’ Khaleed said.

    NAN

  • A fitting honour for “The Grassroots Champion”

    A fitting honour for “The Grassroots Champion”

    The venue was the popular Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, in the city centre of Abuja and the date was Friday, November 10, 2017. Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku stood tall as Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel, National Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, spoke of his attributes before a huge crowd of people made up of representatives of local government workers from all the 774 Local Government Council Areas in the country, members of the National Assembly from Taraba State, legislators from the Taraba State House of Assembly, chairmen and councillors from the 16 Local Government Areas of Taraba State and thousands of his supporters from in and outside Taraba State.

    Then came the highpoint of the event of that day.   Hon Gambo Tanko Kagara, National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, emerged with the insignia of the prestigious ]award of Excellence and Best Performing Governor in Grassroots Development in Nigeria and handed over to Governor Ishaku to the admiration of the First Lady of Taraba State and Wife of the Governor, Barrister Anna Darius Ishaku and their son Gibuiya. The crowd exploded into a thunderous applause that almost sent the roof caving in. It was indeed a day that hard work, diligence and patriotism, all of them attributes that have defined the character of the administration of Governor Ishaku in the past two and a half years in Taraba State were acknowledged and rewarded from the least expected but highly respected workers’ umbrella constituency – the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE and the Association  of Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria, ALGON.

    The coming of the award was no surprise to people who have followed the giant strides in the development of the state by the administration. The surprise, really, was the source from which the award came – ALGON, and NULGE, both of them acting jointly and in one accord on this occasion. The two unions are the ultimate umbrellas organisations for all workers and administrators at the grassroots level. The grassroots of the country is for them a familiar terrain and they have good and up to date knowledge of developments at that level of administration in the country. NULGE, as a pressure group whose mission always is to fight for workers’ welfare, is hardly ever impressed by the efforts of political leaders to make life better for the populace. In the case of Governor Ishaku, it was different. They were impressed and they came out not only to say so publicly but to reward him publicly for it. The decision was a product of painstaking independent assessment of the 36 states governors in service delivery at the grassroots level through the promotion of projects and services with direct bearing on the welfare of people at the grassroots level. Governor Ishaku came out as the most outstanding performer.

    Comrade Khaleel told the audience that Governor Ishaku had excelled in his determination to take the local government system in Taraba State out of an unfortunate system that was characterised by monumental corruption, a system that was rotting and dying. “We have subjected Governor Ishaku to a process of long and painstaking investigation and I wish to say with all sense of honesty that he has passed our test. He has distinguished himself as the best friend of workers through regular payment of salaries and pensions and in promoting the welfare of workers generally.” Khaleel also said Governor Ishaku has done more than any other Governor in the country in promoting grassroots development and described him as a “Grassroots Champion”, the most committed promoter of quality education, a dedicated and an incorruptible friend of the people at the grassroots level.

    It was also from this perspective that Governor Ishaku saw the significance of the award. He said in his acceptance speech that it was significant that the award was coming from those who were, by their calling as trade unionists, not very easy to impress by the people in government. The award came from the source he least expected and he said so. “If a labour union is giving you an award, it means that award is indeed a worthy reward because it is coming from those who keep you on your toes every day through their agitations and demands for improved services.”

    The event was for Ishaku an opportunity to recount his long and victorious battle with ghost workers in the state. He told his audience that his administration adopted several strategies which outwitted the perpetrators of salary scams in the state. That victory is the reason that salaries are being paid regularly to workers at all level of governance in the state today. It is also the reason government is able to implement projects that have tremendously changed social and economic lives in the state.

    One remarkable way the administration has positively touched lives at the grassroots level is the 100 boreholes in 100 communities in the state. The successful implementation of that project has changed the water supply situation in the state dramatically, particularly in the rural communities. Those rural communities where people hitherto shared water from ponds with their domestic animals now have regular source of good water. They now have boreholes drilled for them by the government. Additional 150 similar boreholes in 150 more communities are now being drilled to further extend these facilities to more people. It is not unlikely that this rare gesture of the administration is one of the factors that have influenced the award in favour of Governor Ishaku.

    There is also the administration’s skills acquisition programme that has taken thousands of women and youths off the poverty bracket. They were those who benefitted from training organised for them in various areas of vocation that have turned them not only into self-employed entrepreneurs but employers of labour. They were all given financial assistants and start-up equipment that helped them in setting up their own business outfits. Every electoral award in the state is a beneficiary from the scheme. The beneficiaries are rigorously monitored by government’s rescue watch officers to ensure that the beneficiaries do not derail from the objectives of the project. This scheme has greatly and positively touched lives at the grassroots.

    The Ishaku administration’s employment policy has changed lives way down into the rural communities too. The government had lifted the embargo on employment placed by previous administrations in the state. This has led to the employment of nearly 10,000 hitherto unemployed youths in two years, among them the 3000 teachers who were recently presented letters of appointment. The impact of these employments in the socio-economic lives of these employees and their dependants has been tremendous.

    The re-activation of six previously dead government-owned companies has also had tremendous impact on lives. It has opened more job opportunities and stimulated economic activities. The Highland Tea factory in Mambilla is one outstanding example of how the rural populace in the state have benefitted from the revival of the companies. The return of the company to business has also revived tea farming which is the main preoccupation of the people on the Mambilla Plateau. They now make good money from their tea farms by supplying the factory. Governor Ishaku has not only revived the tea company but has also helped tremendously in promoting the product in local and international markets. Today the product is in high demand, far more than the company can cope with. The overall impact of these efforts in positively transforming lives at the grassroots is certainly part of what swung the award in favour of Governor Ishaku.

    The award is an appreciation of the impact of projects and programmes under the government’s rescue mission which is being felt down to the grassroots level. The roads that the administration has built, hospital, clinics, schools and colleges that have been renovated or completely rebuilt, the provision of stable electricity through the supply of transformers, all have achieved one vital objective which is the stimulation of business activities that have also directly improved the economic lives of people in the benefitting grassroots communities.

    The Excellence Award on Grassroots Development is a fitting honour for Ishaku, a man who has fought the battle against payroll scammers and won, rescued education from the abyss of decay and reduced poverty in the state through his multi-faceted skills acquisition programmes that have touched lives positively down to the grassroots. True, “the Grassroots Champion” has joined several of Governor Ishaku’s other middle names.

    • Dan Abu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Taraba State on Media and Publicity

     

  • Wamako calls for local government reforms

    Wamako calls for local government reforms

    Sen. Magatakadda Wamako (APC-Sokoto Central) has called for a positive reform of local government system in Nigeria to fast track its development.

    Wamako made the call on Wednesday in a keynote address at a conference on: “Local Government and Sustainable Development in Nigeria” in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was organised by the Department of Local Government and Development Studies, Faculty of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

    Wamako, who was represented by Prof. Mustapha Garba-Maitafsir, said: “Nigeria’s future development can only be achieved through a systematic and robust local government approach.

    “I urge all participants at this conference to consider practicable approach toward positive reforms of local government system,” he said.

    Wamako traced the origin of local government administration to Native Authority of 1916, which he said, dealt with the issue of land reforms, among others.

    He said that the survival of democracy solidly rest on a vibrant local government system, hence the need to pay attention to its administration.

    Earlier, the ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, challenged academics to always endeavour to give honest advice to leaders on ways to move the country forward.

    Garba said: “It is very sad to state that many state governors cannot pay their workers’ salaries; yet, as academics, we remain silent, nobody talks about it at all.”

    He was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Ezra Bako-Amans.

    Earlier, Alhaji Ibrahim Khalid, the National President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), called for the abolition of the State Independent Electoral Commission.

    Khalid, represented by FCT Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan-Yakub, called for a uniform tenure for local government chairmen across the nation.

    He also called for the recognition of Local Government Service Commission in the constitution and abolition of joint account across the country.

  • NULGE sues el-Rufai over mass sack

    NULGE sues el-Rufai over mass sack

    The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has dragged the Kaduna State government to the National Industrial Court, Abuja, to challenge the Kaduna State Local Government Councils’ order (Restructuring and Staffing Order) tagged: K.D.S.L.N. 2017.The order  sets the maximum staffing level for local governments and provides that the local governments, which have employees in excess of the maximum staffing level, be declared redundant.

    In the suit filed on behalf of NULGE by its counsel, Femi Aborisade, the union argued that the governor lacked the power to enact such law.

    Joined as defendants in the summon are the Kaduna State governor; Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly; the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice; his counterpart for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; the state’s Local Government Service Commission and Head of Service, respectively.

    The union wants the court to declare the Kaduna State Local Government Councils (Restructuring and Staffing Order) tagged: K.D.S.L.N. 2017  unconstitutional

    Part of the reliefs sought by the union is “a declaration that the 1st Defendant, being a civilian governor of Kaduna State, under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, lacks legislative powers and that the power of the 1st defendant are limited to maintaining the constitution and executing only the provisions of the law made by the state House of Assembly”.

    Meanwhile, NULGE has written to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, to declare a trade dispute between the union and the Kaduna State government.

    In the letter signed by Aborisade on behalf of the union, NULGE said 4, 410 local government employees across the 23 local government areas in Kaduna State are set to be declared redundant by the new order of the state .

    In a related event, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in Kaduna, led a peaceful rally to protest the 22,000 primary school teachers’ sack in the state.

    The rally, which  made up of teachers from 23 local government areas of the state, other state chapters of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Health workers union across the country, held in solidarity.

    Thousands of the protesters, led by NLC President, marched peacefully from the Labour House on Independence Way to the gate of the House of Assembly where they delivered their message amidst heavy security presence.

     

  • No-work-no-pay: Plateau Govt. reverses policy, redeems workers’ salary

    No-work-no-pay: Plateau Govt. reverses policy, redeems workers’ salary

    The Plateau Government on Tuesday commenced payment of workers in 17 councils of the state who suffered the no-work-no-pay policy of former Governor, Jonah Jang.

    Jang had  in 2014, refused to pay workers four months’ salaries when they went on strike in protest over non-implementation of payment of their minimum wage during the period.

    Mr Paul Seku, Chairman, Plateau Central Zone Committee on Payment of No-work-no-pay for Local Government Staff, disclosed this during the committee’s visit to the Chairman of Pankshin Local Government.

    “We are in this council today to commence the payment of the No-work-no-pay to all the local government staff of this council and the remaining four local governments within the Plateau Central Zone including, Mangu, Bokkos, Kanke and Kanam.

    “This is in fulfillment of the promise made to the staff by our loving Governor Simon Lalong, when he asked the workers to withdraw the court case in Abuja for amicable settlement.

    “We are starting with Pankshin Local Government, and thereafter, move to other local governments where we hope to complete payment within this week, ’’  Sheku pledged.

    Sheku, who is also the Director General, Plateau Debt Management Committee, explained that the verification would give the committee the opportunity to pay one month out of the four months owed the workers in cash.

    According to him, “after this payment, the remaining three months salaries will be paid to them through their accounts in their various banks’’.

    Responding, Mrs Naomi Golmwen, Chairman, Pankshin Local Government, expressed happiness over the magnanimity of  Gov. Lalong and described it as a welcome development.

    She expressed the hope and belief that the payment of the fund would go a long way to mobilise the people of Pankshin to retain the governor in 2019.

    “This is a long awaited goodwill of the governor that has become a reality today; our community depends largely on salary, and I believe the payment will touch many homes and build their confidence on the government.

    “To us as politicians and leaders, it will build a strong support for us to go all and mobilise the people for their cooperation and support for this administration both now and come 2019, when we shall seek their mandate, ’’ she said.

    Golmwen assured the committee of the orderliness of the council’s staff and advised the cashiers to cooperate with the committee for successful verification and payment.

    The Council NULGE Chairman, Mr Pankyes Benwuk, described the exercise as a “dream come true’’ and commended Lalong for keeping to his promise.

    “We hope that the four months being owed us will be completely settled before the end of this year as early pledged by the government, ’’ Benwuk said.

  • Kogi workers embark on indefinite strike

    Kogi workers embark on indefinite strike

    The organized Labour in Kogi State has directed workers in ministries, agencies and parastatals to commence an indefinite strike as from Friday, Sept. 22.

    The Chairman of the state chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr Ranti Ojo flanked by his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), counterpart, Mr Onu Edoka gave the order while briefing newsmen in Lokoja On Thursday.

    He asked the workers to shun offices indefinitely until directed otherwise.

    He said that labor was forced to call out workers on strike because of refusal of government to invite them for negotiation over their demands.

    According to him, the strike is the only lifeline left for the workers to negotiate their survival in the hands of the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

    Ojo directed the workers to ensure maximum compliance, saying that all government establishments, offices, facilities and institutions be shut down by workers.

    The organized Labour had on Sept. 13, issued a seven -day strike notice to the state government to meet its demands or risk industrial action by its members.

    In its reaction to the notice , the state government through the Director -General , media and publicity to the governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo described the tone of the lanour’s notice as harsh and described signatories to the notice as unknown.

    The state Head of Service , Mrs Deborah Ogunmola made a last minute ditch to halt the strike when she called the Labour leaders for a meeting in her office on Sept. 21.

    The meeting, however, failed to stop the workers to declare a strike.

    The Labour is demanding among others , full payments of salary and allowances to workers being owed between two and 21 months arrears. The workers are also demanding payment of outstanding leave, yearly incremental allowances and reinstatement of workers unjustly treated during the recently concluded screening exercise.

    “Be prepared to stay at home till eternity if it takes government to eternity to meet our demands,” Ojo admonished the workers.

    The Labour lampooned the government for its poor attitude to workers’ welfare , saying that never in the history of the state has civil service records the massive hunger -induced deaths as being witnessed currently.

    “Workers and pensioners are going through trauma, anguish, pains, sickness, penury, truncation of children’s education , huge unsettled house rent/medical bills . We must rise against these now or never , he said.

    However, he said that , only workers under the umbrellas of NLC, TUC, and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council will be marking on the strike while members of the National Union of Teachers , National Union of Local Government Employees and the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria will join on Sept. 27.

    He urged workers to resist any form of threat, intimidation and blackmail from the state government , urging them to put on uncommon courage, perseverance and resoluteness to confront the bad situation.

    Ojo asked all civil servants and members of the public to pray in mosques and churches on Sept. 22 and Sept 24 to God to deliver the state from bad governance.

    The TUC, NOC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council will not budge until their demands are met by the government.

    “Our fidelity to this struggle is non-negotiable ,” the TUC Chairman said and accused the government of insincerity in its dealings with the workers all these years.

    The state President of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Mr Tade Adyemi who was also present at the briefing said that teachers, local government workers and workers in the health sector will join the strike on Sept. 27.

    Adeyemi said that workers in the sectors issued a separate strike notice to the 21 local government councils in the state who were their employers.

    Mr Thomas Ayodele, the state NUT Chairman said that workers at the local government level were solidly in support and party to the strike declared by the TUC , NLC and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

  • NULGE protesters seek autonomy for local govt

    NULGE protesters seek autonomy for local govt

    The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) yesterday staged a peaceful protest to the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), seeking the House support on local government autonomy.

    Led by its Chairman, Afolabi Ajose, the protesters, numbering about 200, comprised NULGE members, and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

    They chanted solidarity songs.

    According to Afolabi, the issue goes beyond local government autonomy.

    “We have conveniently covered 21 states and it has been wonderful. We have assurances that the state assemblies would support it. Local government autonomy is about the welfare of the entire citizenry.

    “The autonomy would benefit the masses. It is not just about salaries of workers. It is about what we do in our community, and giving people the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    Ajose added that there are three kinds of autonomy namely – administrative, political and financial.

    Local governments, he said, would work well with autonomy.

    Addressing the protesters, LAHA member Tunde Braimoh said the speaker has tremendous respect for workers.

    Braimoh, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, said the House empathised with the protesters.

    The lawmaker stated that they also had some misgivings about the system just like the protesters.

    He added that the issue at hand was a grave constitutional issue as stated in Section 7.

    Buraimoh said: “The 1999 Constitution has become an albatross and that is why people have come together to find a way out of the problem. There is no constitution that is perfect. Leaders of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), met in Ibadan, Oyo State recently to discuss several issues, such as local government autonomy, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, the regional government as well as merger and creation of states.

    “Don’t forget that the issues are hydra-headed and delicate, so you cannot just discuss them anyhow.

    “When we have regional autonomy, people can create their own local governments at their own time. Don’t forget that some states, such as Lagos State and Ogun State have LCDAs, what would happen to them, if there is local government autonomy.”

    He thanked the protesters for “conducting yourselves in a peaceful way and for being ambassadors of democracy. We will look at your demands’’.

    “We will be having our own retreat and we will discuss the issue. We will not shy away from what you have come to tell us,” he said.

  • NULGE: why we’re calling for autonomy

    THE Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) explained yesterday that the aim of the agitation for local government autonomy is to free the third tier of government from the control of state governments.

    Its National President, Ibrahim Khaleel, said if the autonomy is granted by the Houses of Assembly, it will benefit them and Nigerians.

    Khaleel, who led NULGE members to the Ondo House of Assembly, urged members of the chamber to support the passage of the bill whenever it is transmitted to them from the National Assembly.

    The NULGE boss, who was represented by the union’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, said granting autonomy to the local government would strengthen the country’s democracy.

    He said: “If you want to curb insecurity, we need autonomy. If we want employment for our teaming youths, vote yes to autonomy. God has placed you in this today so that your name could be among of those who voted for the freedom of local government. We want you to be part of history this time. “

    NULGE members across the state had converged on Akure, the state capital, to throw their weight behind local government autonomy.

    Members of the union across the 18 local government areas moved around the state capital in their thousands.