BAUCHI COUNCIL WORKERS DEMAND PAYMENT OF LEAVE GRANTS, SALARY INCREMENTS

By Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

Local government workers in Bauchi State have called for the payment of outstanding leave grants, annual salary increments and other welfare benefits, saying they have been neglected for years.

The workers, who spoke anonymously with New Telegraph, said they were yet to benefit from the newly approved Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), unlike their counterparts in some other states.

One source alleged that local government councils receive only a monthly subvention of N40 million, a situation he claimed has affected workers' welfare and council operations.

He further claimed that council chairmen have limited financial powers, requiring state approval before awarding contracts above N1 million.

Another worker alleged that leave grants have remained unpaid since the administration before the current government, while staff claims and overhead costs are also outstanding.

The workers, however, praised local government chairmen for carrying out renovations of schools, clinics and other developmental projects in their respective councils.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain comments from the Bauchi State Chairman of ALGON and officials of NULGE were unsuccessful. NNL.