Several unions, including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and the National Union of Teachers (NUT), have requested a delay in payments to local government staff In a press briefing held less than 24 hours after Governor Nasir Idris approved the N75,000 minimum wage for Kebbi State workers.
The briefing, chaired by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Abubakar Garba Dutsinmari, highlighted concerns about accurately capturing the local government workforce, which remains unverified in terms of employee count.
According to the union leaders, this could complicate immediate wage disbursement.
Governor Idris signed the new wage law on Wednesday, directing the State Accountant General and Commissioner for Finance to process payments within 72 hours.
However, union representatives, following discussions with local government employees, stated that additional time is needed to ensure all eligible workers are properly documented, minimizing errors in the payment process.
“We appeal to the governor to extend the timeframe by at least two weeks to complete this exercise,” they said in a joint statement.
ALGON Chairman Muhammad Nayaya Ambursa and NULGE representative Comrade Farouk Abubakar Sadiq echoed the sentiment, urging the commissioner to request a two-to-three-week postponement to confirm the workforce’s size accurately.
In response, Dutsinmari assured the unions he would present their request to the governor.
“We will make the appeal.
If he agrees, that’s good; otherwise, by Monday, we must proceed with the payment according to his directive,” he stated
