The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi chapter, has urged Gov. Yahaya Bello to bequeath welfare legacies that would transcend this generation to workers in the state.
The state”s NLC Chairman, Mr Gabriel Amari, made the call while speaking at the 2023 Workers’ Day Cerebration on Monday in Lokoja.
“Your Excellency, as your tenure gradually comes to an end, Kogi workers are looking up to you to bequeath welfare legacies that transcends beyond our generation,” Amari said.
The state NLC boss decried the percentage salaries paid to local government staff and primary school teachers, saying it had crippled the third tier of government and rendered basic education ineffective.
According to Amari, as long workers in the local government earns percentage salary, the economic growth at the grassroot would remain a mirage.
“Unfortunately, the percentage salary payment to workers at local government gives rise to financial pressure and increase in rural – urban migrations.
“Your Excellency, your dissatisfaction with the percentage salary payment was palpable in your speech during the second tenure anniversary celebration on 27th January 2022, however, it is business as usual at the local government.
“We are appealing that as your tenure draws to an end, we urge you to compel the authorities in charge of local government to restore payment of complete salaries to workers to bring them at par with their state counterparts,” Amari pleaded.
The NLC Chairman also appealed to Kogi Government to approve and release the cash backing of all arrears of staff promotion since 2015.
He stressed that the implementation of the new national minimum wage and its consequential adjusted salary structures at the local government would improve the lives of council workers by putting them at the same level as state workers.
He, however commended the state government for prompt and regular payment of salaries to the state workers.
Amari further praised the governor for his numerous achievements in all sector of the economy in the state, especially in education, health, security, infrastructure development, among others.
The NLC chairman urged Kogi workers to remain committed to quality services delivery in their various spheres of duties, and rise to the challenges of building a unified state.
Amari enjoined government at all levels to brace up for the herculean task of building a united , just and egalitarian society for the benefits of Nigerians, saying the task were enormous but surmountable.
In his remarks, Gov. Yahaya Bello, commended the workers for their support and cooperation, and assured the commitment of his administration to continue to prioritise workers’ welfare in the state.
Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayo-ade, said several efforts had been put in place to end percentage salary at the local government level, assuring that it would soon end.
Also speaking, the state’s Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, commended the workers for recognising the giant strides of state government in all sectors of the economy.
Odiyo assured that the governor was working hard to better the welfare of workers in the state, while urging the workers not to relent in putting in their best.