LG Elections: NLC warns Against Voting Council Chairmen who will owe salaries, other workers entitlements
By Ekemini Simon
As the October local government election in Akwa Ibom State draws nearer, the Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State Council has called on its members and Akwa Ibom citizens to vote for men/women of proven character, who have the capacity to represent them at the Local Government levels.
The call was made in a press release signed by the Chairperson of the Council, Comrade Sunny James.
The NLC noted that Chairmen of Councils that would be elected must be ready to pay salaries, gratuities and pensions centrally as at when due and other workers entitlements as currently the practice in Local Government Service Commission, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) and Local Government Pensions Board of setting aside monies on a monthly basis for the clearing of indebtedness using existing structures.
NLC insisted that never again will its workers suffer indebtedness for supporting the local government autonomy.
It said that its position is premised on the outcome of the partial autonomy of 2009-2014 granted the Local Government Areas which resulted in so much debt which the present Governor is resolving.
While noting that the impact of Local Government at the grassroots and community development need not to be over-emphasised, the NLC described Local Government Council elections as more than just a democratic exercise.
It said this exercise determines the leadership that will directly influence community development, infrastructure, education, health services and local economic policies.
The leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said due to its importance, it must not be left in the hands of incompetent, greedy and people who do not have the interest of the masses at heart.
The press release added “As we celebrate the Peoples Democratic Party for conducting peaceful primaries to elect standard flag-bearers, we encourage other Political Parties to follow the same.
“Our State Government is making frantic effort towards conducting Local Government Election in October, we hereby call on AKISIEC to conduct free, fair and credible election, allowing the will of the people to prevail. Our members and other citizens are encouraged to come out to vote for men/women of proven character, who have capacity to represent them at the Local Government levels.”
The NLC called on all its affiliate unions at the Local Government levels to mobilize to prepare for adequate engagement with their respective Council Chairmen when elected on workers’ demands and ensure achieving effective collective bargaining agreements as touching the decent work-places and members’ welfare.
The NLC leadership thanked Governor Umo Eno for what they described as sincerity and willingness to organize the Local Government in line with the demands of the time.