EXTRA: Workers who died in 2009 still receiving salaries in Ebonyi, says ALGON chair

Chinedu Uburu, chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi, says workers who died in 2009 are still drawing salaries from the state’s local government coffers.

Uburu spoke on Monday when executives of the Ebonyi chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Samson Nwafor, paid him a courtesy visit in Abakaliki. 

He said the issue was uncovered during the ongoing verification exercise at the various LGAs.

The ALGON chairman expressed worries over the local government’s inability to pay salaries following the federal government’s minimum wage increase, urging those who are yet to receive their payments to be patient.

He commended the leadership of the NUJ for maintaining professionalism in their work, noting that the media plays a crucial role in disseminating accurate information to the public.

“The verification exercise is not targeted at anyone. Workers don’t realise that council chairmen are trying to help them,” Uburu said.

“Last year, the president signed the minimum wage bill into law, and with the current number of staff, we can’t even pay salaries.”

In his reaction, Nwafor spoke about the union’s role in fostering a healthy relationship between journalists and the government.

He assured that the NUJ would continue to support ALGON in its efforts toward sustainable development, adding that the media’s responsibility is to serve the people’s interests.

“Journalism is no longer about attacking the government; it’s about supporting it, advising when necessary, and ensuring the state’s progress,” Nwafor said.

“We are part of the society and our work should aim to contribute to the betterment of Ebonyi.”