Minimum wage: LGs have no reason to complain – Council chairman

The Chairman of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr Fatai Ayoola, has said that local governments have no reason not to pay the newly approved N70,000 minimum wage.

Ayoola, who spoke in Lagos on Thursday, stated that with increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the recently granted financial autonomy, local governments had been well-equipped to pay the new wage.

According to him, local governments recorded a 100 percent increase in federal allocations under the present administration.

“There is no reason councils should not be able to pay the minimum wage, with direct federal allocations to them.

“Ajeromi-Ifelodun pays more than the minimum wage in terms of allowances added to the salaries of our staff members.

“Paying the minimum wage will not pose any issue to us and will not affect our ongoing and future projects,” he said.

He added that the council regularly gave palliatives to its staff and community members.

“We buy a trailer of rice monthly bag the rice into 10kgs and sell it for less than N7,000 to people in our communities.

“We also distribute portions of cow meat, we take care of security outfits that support protecting our environment,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for facilitating financial autonomy for local governments.

He said that local governments should make more impact on their communities and ensure accountability.

Ayoola added that local council officials should make necessary sacrifices for the good of the people at the grassroots, urging Nigerians to hold their local government chairmen accountable.