Minimum Wage: We cannot even pay N62,000 – ALGON to Nigerian govt

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, has said it can’t afford to pay the proposed N62,000 new national minimum wage.

ALCON blamed its inability to pay on the meagre allocation from the federation account and other responsibilities.

Aminu Muazu-Maifata, the National President of ALGON, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Muazu-Maifata said all the local Councils in the country receive a little over 18% of the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

The Nigerian government had proposed N62,000 as against the N250,000 being demanded by the organized labour’s new national minimum wage.

Reacting, the ALGON National President said: “Apart from paying wages, we still have other responsibilities such as providing affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institutions, rural roads, youth and women empowerment, among others, to contend with.

“I want to appeal for increased allocation to local governments in Nigeria. ALGON has a lot of responsibilities to meet up with the ₦62,000 minimum wage.

“We will also give priority to issues of security at the local level and attract interventions from development partners to our various councils.

“I also want to improve the existing unity amongst the various LGAs Chairmen and administrations in the country to better the lives of our people.

“Unity among LGA Chairmen will help us compare notes and come up with good policies and programmes to improve governance for the benefit of the people at the grassroots.”