Merge States, LGAs Unable to Pay Minimum Wage -Urhobo Leader

A prominent leader of the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, has advised states and local governments unable to pay the new minimum wage to fuse with their economically viable counterparts.

Alhaji Unagha revealed that some states and Local Government exist only to share allocation from the federal and state governments based on the resources from only one source of revenue -crude oil from the Niger Delta whereas there are other sources of revenue the nation can explore to cater to other states without economic capacity.

He said, “If a state cannot pay a minimum wage to better the lives of its citizens, such a state or local government council should not exist.

Alhaji Mumakai Unagha was reacting to claims by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) that local councils cannot afford to pay the proposed N62,000 as new minimum wage because of the lean allocation from the Federation Account. 

ALGON, through its National President, Aminu Muazu-Maifata stated to newsmen on Monday that Local Government Councils have other responsibilities to undertake with the allocation accruable to them apart from payment of salaries. He listed “provision of affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institution, rural roads as well as youths and women empowerment among others to contend with.”

On this backdrop, the respected Niger Delta leader advised, “I, therefore, call for the merger of some states and local government councils that are not viable economically. The time of hurrying to Abuja for monthly allocation should be discouraged; they should go for the good of the nation.

“I am not a believer in regional government, but the only way to encourage states to pursue sustainability and self-dependence is that some states must go unless they fend for themselves“ he added.