We cannot pay N62,000 minimum wage — ALGON

The Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON) says it cannot pay the proposed N62,000 minimum wage, blaming it on the meagre allocation from the federation account and other responsibilities.

Aminu Muazu-Maifata, the National President of ALGON, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Muazu-Maifata said all the local governments in the country receive a little over 18 percent of the monthly allocation from the Federation Account.

The federal government had proposed N62,000 while the Organised Labour is demanding N250,000 as the national minimum wage.

“Apart from paying wages, we still have other responsibilities such as providing affordable healthcare, education, security, traditional institutions, rural roads, youth and women empowerment, among others, to contend with.

“I want to appeal for increased allocation to local governments in Nigeria. ALGON has a lot of responsibilities to meet up with the ₦62,000 minimum wage.

“We will also give priority to issues of security at the local level and attract interventions from development partners to our various councils,” the ALGON National President said.