The Organized Labour in Niger State says the issue of financial autonomy for Local Government is a complex affair, that should be treated with caution.
The Organized Labour in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Niger State Council, Yakubu Garba, and his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, Gana Ibrahim, explained that the State Council is constrained by the prevailing circumstances surrounding Local Government financial autonomy in Niger State, and its consequences on the payment of salary to the staff.
The statement hinted that 15 out of 25 local governments in the state can not pay salaries, if full financial autonomy is to take effect
The statement further revealed that the state’s Ministry for Local Government, Community Development, and Chieftaincy Affairs had a mandate from the 25 local government councils to take series of loans and overdrafts on behalf of the councils to augment the payment of salary and salary-related obligations.