Due to the inflation brought on by the loss of the gasoline subsidy, the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, or NULGE, has called for a 300 percent increase in the minimum wage for workers across all sectors.

This was stated in a communique that Mr. Ambali Olatunji, the national president of NULGE, and Mr. Isah Gambo, the union’s general secretary, jointly signed after the NEC’s regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

Olatunji said that the 300 per cent rise was imperative considering the inflation necessitated by the removal of fuel subsidy.

According to him, it is the position of NULGE that there should be a 300 per cent rise in the minimum wage for all Local Government workers and other public servants, including private sector workers.

Olatunji also said that the government, as a matter of urgency, should create a special intervention fund to take care of aforementioned social welfare and infrastructural decay through the Ministry of Special Duty.

The NUGLE boss said that the proposed fund should be able to cater for projects and programmes in conjunction with local government.

He further called on the federal government to establish a special agency to collaborate with the local government administration in administering the fund for the development and the transformation of the rural areas.

He, however, acknowledged the effort of federal and state governments to cushion the effect of the economic policies on citizens.

Olatunji also urged the government to utilise the 800 million dollars from World Bank to provide mass transit and other interventions especially in the auto-mobile spare parts companies, to cater for the transport needs of the masses.

He also advised the government to give tax rebates/holidays for low income earners and small scale entrepreneurs, as a way of encouraging and sustaining their businesses.

He added that, “It is the conviction of the union that autonomy for local governments remains the best way to return the country to the part of development and growth.

“This will translate to the direct funding of local governments without which no genuine national development can be achieved.”