The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in Osun State has called on senior local government staff and labour leaders to urgently release payment vouchers required for the settlement of workers’ salaries, pensions, and other entitlements across the state’s councils.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Samuel Abiodun, whose faction is aligned with the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state, the forum of council chairmen directed directors, Heads of Local Government Administration, HLAs, and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, were urged to make available all payment schedules without further delay.
ALGON stated that the continued withholding of vouchers had stalled the payment of salaries and pensions for active and retired local government workers, including primary school teachers and health personnel, despite funds being ready for disbursement.
Abiodun, expressed dissatisfaction with the uncooperative stance of senior council staff, saying the chairmen had repeatedly requested vouchers since resuming office after a prolonged disruption.
“Up till today, senior council workers are yet to provide the vouchers through which salaries, pensions, departmental and individual impress, as well as other entitlements, can be paid,” Abiodun said.
He explained that similar requests were made in January 2026 following the resumption of council activities but were allegedly ignored, with senior staff citing directives not to engage with the chairmen.
Abiodun, who maintained that none of the local government chairmen had refused to pay workers, insisted that delays were solely due to the absence of vouchers and payment schedules under the control of senior officials.
“We are ready to approve and order immediate payment of salaries and pensions for all categories of workers if the vouchers are made available today,” he said.
The ALGON chairman alleged that some senior council workers were acting on instructions from external bodies rather than the elected chairmen, contrary to established administrative regulations.
He also accused sections of the workforce leadership of holding meetings aimed at frustrating the councils’ efforts to restore regular salary payments and effective grassroots governance.
Abiodun noted that despite these challenges, the councils had successfully paid the salaries and entitlements of traditional rulers across the state without discrimination.
ALGON said it decided to make the matter public to clarify that council chairmen were not responsible for the delayed payments and urged relevant officials to act promptly to ease workers’ hardship.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
