The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of local government-based unions, including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), has proposed several initiatives following the Supreme Court’s decision granting financial autonomy to local governments.
JAC’s recommendations aim to improve operations across the country’s 774 local government areas.
Key proposals include an audit and redistribution exercise to determine the actual number of local government workers, teachers, and pensioners.
The committee also suggests a one-year pause on new recruitment for local government and teaching positions to stabilize the system and enhance efficiency.
Additionally, JAC called for a restructuring of supervisory institutions overseeing local government staff.
The committee proposed that statutory memberships of various local government agencies, including the Local Government Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), should be expanded to include representatives from unions and stakeholders such as ALGON (Association of Local Government of Nigeria).
JAC further emphasized the need for federal support in providing essential equipment like tractors, refuse disposal vans, and vocational skill acquisition materials, with costs deducted from local government allocations in installments.
To bolster security, they advocated reorganizing local peace and security committees for better policing and intelligence efforts.
In terms of worker welfare, JAC suggested specific payment structures and allocations for salaries, pensions, and training, ensuring these funds are properly managed by relevant agencies.
The committee also recommended strengthening the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs to oversee policy formulation, coordination, and reforms at the local government level through regular summits.
