NULGE backs council autonomy, ex ALGON chair faults move

The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), in Ogun State yesterday gave its support to the calls for local government autonomy.

The President of the union, Mr. Ayuba Olatunji disclosed the union’s position at a rally at the premises of the State House of Assembly, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The placard-carrying workers also called for the abolishment of the Joint Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) by the Federal Government.

The workers carried various placards to press home their demand. Some of their placards read: “Local government is a must,” “On local government autonomy we stand,” “Ogun State House of Assembly, support local government autonomy” and “Thank God Buhari is back, Mr. President support autonomy”.

The State chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) joined them.

Olatunji insisted that there would not be any meaningful development in the country, if the local government autonomy were not granted.

Meanwhile, former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Delta State, Tony Nwaka faulted calls for autonomy.

He said the concept and principle of autonomy for the third tier of government was desirable in a truly fiscal federalist set up.