The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has said that local councils cannot afford to pay the proposed N62,000 as new minimum wage because of the lean allocation from the Federation Account.

National President of ALGON, Mr. Aminu Muazu-Maifata who addressed newsmen in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, on Monday, June 10, said all the 774 Local Government Councils across the nation get allocation of about 18 per cent from Federation Account monthly and it is not enough to pay the N62,000 minimum wage.

He said; 

“Apart from payment of wages, we still have other responsibilities such as provision of affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institution, rural roads as well as youths and women empowerment among others to contend with.”

Maifata who noted that council chairmen had thrown their weight behind wage increment for civil servants, also begged for increase in the monthly allocations of the 774 LGAs in the country to enable councils pay the proposed minimum wage.

He also called for amendment of the constitution to make the tenure of office of LGAs officials uniform across the country for smooth administration, pledging that the association would work with other stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the area councils autonomy as enshrined in the country’s constitution.

The Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State said; 

“The tenure of office of LGAs officials should be made four years to enable them deliver on their campaign promises to the electorate. The tenure is three years in some states and two years in some other states which is not good for the administration at the  local  councils.”