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_...health workers, primary school teachers, traditionalists, others, left out in the cold, unsure of their wage
By Gidigba Group
Local government workers across the 18 local government areas in Edo State are not having the best of times as they continue to grumble over unpaid salaries, wages and arrears, while their counterparts in other States are smiling to the bank, Edo local government workers are stranded, left out in the cold, unsure of their salaries.
Whereas the Okpebholo-led administration has not dimmed it fit to address the issue of unpaid salaries in local governments, where reason(s) for non-payment may have been highlighted, observers believe however that it may not be unconnected with the lawless takeover of elected Council Chairmen rocking the Councils on Okpebholo's watch.
The Edo State governor had instigated some Councilors against their Chairmen, monetizing the Councilors to carry out kangaroo impeachment on elected Council Chairmen.
In many local government Councils, one Councilor illegally impeached a Chairman; in Oredo particularly, non-elected persons were handpicked around ring road to impeach the Chairman, a laughable situation that has crippled grassroots development and throw Council workers particularly in jeopardy.
Before now, Edo Council workers were amongst the earliest to receive their salaries and other entitlements; health workers, primary school teachers, traditionalists, participated significantly in the prompt salary payments of elected Council Chairmen; observers have said the acting Council Chairmen's inability to access funds, occasioned by the illegality surrounding the office is a major hindrance to grassroot development and staff welfarism.
A chat with some Council workers across the State on Friday, revealed that many workers are disillusioned, unsure if they would ever get their salaries amid the crisis; a situation that has crippled essential services in the third tier of government.
Recall that in a warning letter to banks, counsel to elected Chairmen, Oluwole Osazee Uzzi, Esq., said, "on no account should they open any new account or operate any existing one without first obtaining a written notice or express authorization in writing under the hands of the elected Chairmen and any transaction, withdrawal or transfer from the Council's account not backed by a mandate duly issued and confirmed by them will be discountenanced".
"Any bank which fails to adhere strictly to this, or neglects this instruction will be liable for any such withdrawal, movement or shortfall and all losses or damages arising therefrom, as same will be regarded as unauthorized", the statement added.
By the foregoing, and considering other matters before the court, only elected local government Chairmen, who assumed office September 4, 2023, whose tenure is still running, as reaffirmed by the Benin High Court on Thursday, has the capacity, mandate, legal backing, authorization to execute financial matters, including payment of salaries.
An unfortunate situation has besieged Edo, a ticking time bomb of illegality hovers across the State, and with Council workers unsure of their salaries, entitlements, occasioned by the illegality crippling the smooth running of Councils, one can only continue to exercise hope in the judiciary and faith in God's divine intervention, that the unsolicited political misfortune brought on Edo people by the Okpebholo-led government, will become a thing of the past in no distant time.
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