By Magnus Effiong
The President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Cross River State, Comrade Obol Leko Otabe Obono, has lauded Governor Bassey Otu for the ongoing implementation of promotion of local government staff as well as other interventions which have brought hope to workers in the third tier of government after 13 years of suffering.
Speaking during the 8th quadrennial conference of the State chapter of the Union which took place at the Kolanut Centre, Calabar, Obono enumerated Gov Otu’s intervention to include “the return of the payroll from the Auditor General back to ministry of local government affairs; the automation of the local government payroll system to instantly transmit staff from regular to pension on retirement. The release and ongoing implementation of promotions,” amongst others.
Comrade Obono also thanked Governor Otu for restoring the annual incremental step with effect from January 1, 2025, and noted that the Governor has also granted approval for appointment of permanent secretaries from Unified Local Government System after 30 years neglect.
“We are compelled by our inner witness to very specially praise His Excellency’s robust decision in awarding the construction of a permanent secretariat complex to house the Cross River State Local Government Service Commission. Cross River state NULGE considers this singular stride a masterstroke for the restoration of the fortunes of the Unified Local Government Service,” he noted.
Speaking earlier, NULGE national treasurer, Comrade Aliyu Haruna, lauded President Bola Tinubu for initiating the suit which culminated in the Supreme Court giving judgment in favour of local government autonomy.
While also commending Governor Bassey Otu for the positive things he was doing for local government employees, Comrade Haruna charged the Governor to intensify efforts to conduct local government elections, adding “local government system should be functional and viable.”
Our reporter, who monitored the 8th quadrennial conference, said it was supervised by the Union’s national treasurer who was assisted by the national president, South South zone as well as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States presidents.
All the officials were returned unopposed in an election which saw 167, out of 171 accredited delegates, affirming the candidature of Comrade Leko Otabe Obono as Cross River State president and Comrade Daniel Ebebe as Deputy State president.
Others were Comrade Ferdinald Ugbong, treasurer; Comrade James Afuri, auditor; Comrade Godwin Ntamu, publicity secretary and Comrade William Agbor who is the representative of the Young Workers in the exco.
