…..It’s ‘Unprecedented’ Gesture —says Union
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has applauded the Ondo State Government for donating 21 brand new 18–seater buses to its branches across the state, describing the gesture as a milestone in workers’ welfare and logistics support.
The vehicles were officially presented at the NULGE Secretariat in Akure on Wednesday, following a courtesy visit by the national leadership of the union to the State Government.
President-General of NULGE, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who led leadership of the union to the state described the initiative as unprecedented, noting that no state government had ever procured and handed over such a number of buses to NULGE branches at once.
According to him, the intervention clearly reflects the worker-friendly posture of the Aiyedatiwa administration and its commitment to strengthening the local government system.
Kankara listed other welfare interventions by the government to include the approval of Grade Level 17 for Heads of Local Government Administration, payment of backlog of salaries, leave bonuses, COVID-19 and hazard allowances, prompt implementation of the new minimum wage, as well as implementation of the Modified Consolidated Medical and Health Salary Structures (MOCONMESS and MCONHESS).
He also noted that the state government had released more than ₦6 billion for the payment of outstanding gratuities of retired local government workers, while also approving yearly promotions and Christmas bonuses for serving officers.
The NULGE President further commended the government for allowing financial autonomy for local governments, which he said had boosted service delivery at the grassroots.
Kankara, however, appealed to the state government to increase the number of Permanent Secretaries in the Local Government Service from three to six, reopen the position of Auditor-General for Local Governments for eligible career officers, and approve the recruitment of new personnel into the system.
He assured that the buses would be put to proper use and urged other state governments to emulate the Ondo example.
Representing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Special Adviser on Union Matters, Comrade Bola Taiwo, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare, noting that additional interventions, including more buses, are expected in the coming weeks to ease transportation challenges faced by other categories of staff.
Earlier, the Ondo State President of NULGE, Comrade Frederick Akinrinlola, described the gesture as historic, thanking the Governor and the national leadership of the union for their support. He also appreciated local government chairmen under ALGON, Ondo State, for backing workers’ welfare initiatives.
