Overstaffing hinders implementation of N70,000 minimum wage for LG workers – Borno govt
The Borno State Government has cited significant staffing issues as a major obstacle to implementing the N70,000 minimum wage for local government employees.
During a recent meeting at the Government House in Maiduguri, Modu Alhaji Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Local Government and Emirate Affairs, explained that the high number of employees within the local councils is complicating the financial management required to support the wage increase.
Mustapha reported that the state’s 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) currently employ around 90,000 staff—far more than the approximately 30,000 employees across 44 LGAs in Kano, which has a population three times larger than Borno’s.
He noted, “While the intention behind the minimum wage increase is laudable, the reality on ground in Borno is far more complex.”
Using the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council as a case study, Mustapha highlighted financial constraints, indicating that the monthly allocation from the Federal Government sometimes amounts to less than 700 million Naira, whereas the council requires about 778 million Naira just to cover the minimum wage.
“This constitutes the entire monthly income of the LGA. When you consider the need to fund essential services like public health and security, the financial strain becomes glaringly apparent,” he explained.
Addressing the local government chairpersons, Governor Babagana Zulum urged them to collaborate with stakeholders to find feasible solutions to the salary dilemma.
“All local government chairpersons should go back to their localities, engage with relevant stakeholders and come up with a workable solution to the salary problem,” Zulum stated.
The governor also emphasized that the N72,000 minimum wage has been effectively implemented for state civil servants and primary school teachers. He made it clear that there would be no retrenchment of staff at the local government level.
“We are not in support of staff retrenchment at the local government level. I direct you to institute a mechanism that will lead to the implementation of the minimum wage,” he continued.
Zulum concluded by appealing for patience from local government workers, assuring them that the government is committed to working closely with the LGAs to ensure the successful implementation of the minimum wage.
“We are working closely with the 27 local governments to ensure the implementation of the minimum wage,” he concluded.
Source: PUNCH
