The Abia State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress has stated that the proposed Local Government bill is an attempt to siphon council funds in the state.
In a letter to the Speaker, reference number NLC/ABSC/AHA/VOL.11/001, dated 25th October, 2024 and signed by the state chairman of NLC, Ogbonnaya Okoro, and the Secretary, Emma Alozie, NLC stated that it was “writing to you about the preposed obnoxious bill that has provision for seeding 90% of the Local Government Allocation to the State Government Allocation, leaving only a paltry 10% for the running of the Local Government Areas”.
The Abia NLC expressed its believe that “the bill is a dangerous encroachment upon freedom of the Local Governmeri Authority, ulter disregard to the Supreme Court Judgment on 11′” July, 2024 granting financial autonomy to the Local Governments in Nigeria, anti-people and anti-development.
“We urge you and the entire House to reject the bill from further consideration. The bill, if passed, will adversely impact Local Government’s right to its freedom, and development of the rural areas, while violating the principles underpinning the Supreme Court Judgment”.
The NLC described the Speaker as “a vibrant young man that has a long future in Nigeria politics”, and advised, “may we therefore appeal that you do not let the Governor mislead you. He has immunity which you do not have. The judgment prescribes jail terms for whosoever that will circumvent the judgment. The choice is yours. Accordinaly, we strongly urge you, in the interest of moral decency and in keeping vith your oath of office, to choose the path of transparency rather than corruption, irrespective of monetary inducement”.
NLC therefore urged the Speaker to “reject the obnoxious anti-people and anti-development bill in its entirety, announce publicly the rejection of the bill by the house, and support the Supreme Court Judgment that granted the Local Government Autonomy”.
NLC warned that the workers in the state “would resist all attempts by ensuring that the bill does not see the light of the day”, warning, “Should the House continue with the process of considering the bill, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees cannot guarantee you industrial peace in the Local Governments and should therefore not be held responsible for any breakdown of industrial peace in that sector.
“We have instructed Labour Leaders in the LGAs to begin immediate mobilization and sensitization of our members across the 17 Local Government areas, if the House proceeds with consideration of the bill”, Labour said.
NLC advised the House to concentrate on policies that would have positive impacts on workers welfare, rural areas development rather than embarking on obnoxious bill that would be detrimental to the poor masses in the interest of peace and development.”