The forum of concillors in the twenty five Local Government area of niger state on monday embarked on a protest holding principal officers of the local government ministry hostage over their N1,746,500,000 severance allowance.
Chairman of the Councillor’s Forum Comrade Yahaya Shehu told reporters that governor Babangida Aliyu only paid N1.1 million to each councillor for furniture allowance with a balance of N1.4 million remaining.
He said “we are 274 Councillors, 175 Supervising Councillors, 25 Vice Chairmen and 25 Secretaries that the government have refuse to pay and this severance allowance is enshrine in the constitution of nigeria.
“We were compelled to call an emergency meeting on 27 April 2015 over the impending balance of our severance and furniture allowances after many write ups and appeals considering the terrible condition we are in, which we have stated in our several letters and courtesy calls on the Commissioner of Ministry for Local Government Affairs, the Secretary to the State Government, Speakers of Niger state House of Assembly and the Leadership of Association of Local Government employees of Nigeria.
“All we received are deceitful assurances and promises and the total amount owed each of us is N3.5 million and if you multiply it by 499 of us I am sure you will get over N1.7 billion”.
“Many of us are indebted to Banks and individuals and we find it difficult to cater for our immediate needs. Most especially, provision of daily square meals for our families. We are calling on you (Governor Aliyu) to as a matter of urgency use your good office to arrest and address this pathetic condition we are in as the situation is getting out of hands”.
“The government we all served is winding up as former colleagues in government, we call on you to despite the financial situation being experienced by the State to intervene and assist considering the situation and resolve of our Colleagues”.
“We expect prompt intervention and consideration of the letter as law abiding citizens loyal individuals to your government and in the interest of peace and justice”.
Each elected political office holder at the local government level as either Vice chairman, secretary or councillor between 2008 and 2014 is expected to have atleast N3.5million or more.
Source: Eagle reporters
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