Why Delta LGA Can’t Pay Minimum Wage – ALGON Chief

Local Government councils in Delta State will not be able to fully implement the National Minimum Wage on account of constraints in the funding of the local governments, Itiako Ikpokpo, chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Association of Local Governments has said.

In a statement explaining the constraints of the local governments, he said that workers on grade levels one to six have started receiving the new salary but those above will have to wait for improved finances for them to be paid the new salary.

Ikpokpo who is also the chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area as such pleaded with the workers to shelve the proposed strike planned by them on the issue.

He said:

“Payment of salaries of primary school teachers and Council staff rests squarely with the Local Governments and not the Delta State Government and it is on record that ALGON have held several consultative meetings and dialogue with the leadership of the workers on how to implement the minimum wage, the last being two weeks ago at the Unity Hall where we agreed to meet with His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa with representatives of NULGE, NUT, SUBEB, the Delta State Accountant General, State Directorate of Local Government and the Local Government Service Commission on how to find common ground on the issue.”

“Local Governments in Delta State are not averse to full implementation of the new minimum wage. While it has been effected for workers at the lower rung of the service, (Grade levels one to six), financial difficulties faced by the Local Governments has hindered its implementation for staff on Grade Levels seven and above.”

“While we appreciate the consideration and cooperation of the affected workers on the delay associated with the implementation of the minimum wage, we wish to earnestly appeal to them to show more understanding by shelving the proposed strike action as Government is working assiduously on how to find a way out of the pathetic situation.”

“We are committed in ensuring the implementation of the minimum wage across all Grade Levels in the Local Governments and Local Education Authorities, LEAs in no distant time when hopefully the finances of the Councils improve”, he said.

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