Local Government Workers in Ogun State Embark on Indefinite Strike

Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun
Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun

The Ogun State branch of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has commenced an indefinite strike to press home its demands.

The president of the union, Comrade Tajudeen Olusesi, while addressing newsmen on Wednesday said that an agreement reached with executives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, was not implemented, hence, their decision to down tools till further notice. The strike is commencing after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued by the union for government to address all the issues.

According to the Union, all the local governments in the state were being confronted with various challenges, ranging from non-payment of salaries as at when due, inadequate funding of primary school education, deductions from workers salaries among other issues. The Union also noted that a proposal had been given to government on how to solve the problems.

It further decried the state government’s unwillingness to place local government workers’ salaries and allowances on first line charge as it is being practised in some South-West states: “There must be final solution to this state of despair. Local Government workers are not inferior to primary school teachers. What is good for the goose is good for the gander… Why is it difficult for the state government to place local government workers salaries and allowances also on first line charge like that of the primary school teachers as being practised in most state of the South West like Ekiti, Osun and Lagos,” the union said.