The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) says it may commence indefinite strike any moment from now, if state governments fail to settle outstanding monthly salary arrears of members.
The National President of the Union, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel who made this known while briefing newsmen in Abuja lamented that despite the release of bailout and the first tranche of Paris Loan Refund to most state governments, salaries of local government employees have remained unpaid. The Union warned state governors not to divert the second tranche of the Paris loan refund which has been released for the purpose of clearing salaries or risk nationwide action.
Khaleel disclosed that 23 states currently owe salary arrears ranging from 3 to 16 months. He listed the affected states to include Bayelsa, Kogi, Delta, Kwara, Oyo, Abia, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Edo. Others include Ondo, Adamawa, Plateau and Ebonyi among others.
The Union however commended governors of Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Katsina, Cross River, Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Jigawa, Anambra, Niger and Katsina on prompt payment of monthly salaries of local government employees.
