By Eseoghene Emuke
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has called for the review of the current revenue allocation sharing formula in the country.
It said the current formula put councils in the country at great disadvantage since they are saddled with the payment of primary school teachers and council workers.
President of ALGON, Hon. Kolade Alabi, stated this on Wednesday while addressing newsmen shortly after arriving at the Asaba International Airport in Delta State.
The Association commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the approval of special salary scale for Nigerian teachers.
Buhari had on Monday in his speech to commemorate this year’s Teachers Day announced a special salary package for teachers in the country.
The ALGON President said, “The President’s approval for special salary scale for teachers is a very good and welcome development and that is why ALGON has always advocated that there should be a review of the allocation sharing formula.
“Teachers welfare and salary has been within the purview of local governments and what the President has done is good for our teachers and it will be a stimulus for all teachers in the country and I must commend him for that.” he stated.
Alabi and other Nigerian council chairmen are in Asaba for ALGON National Executive Council meeting being hosted by the Delta Chapter of the Association.
The ALGON President who was flanked by Delta ALGON Chairman, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo and his Adamawa State Chairman, Alhaji Jingi Rufai, said the meeting would help the body examine recent happenings especially the COVID-19 pandemic.
ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Parents, Students Kick As DELSU Charges 5000 To 10,000 For COVID-19
He said ALGON has been advocating for a review of the Revenue Allocations formula to reflect the current realities as local government councils have been saddled with the responsibilities of salaries and welfare of teachers at primary school levels.
He commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the development strides at the Asaba International Airport noting that it has become a beehive of activities as an aviation hub in the region.
“We are here in Delta to have our NEC meeting and if not for the pandemic that broke out in February, we would have had our meetings in several states of the country.
“We are meeting in this state that is called the big heart and indeed it’s a really big heart because coming down from the plane I really saw that.
“It’s our usual meeting and we will visit one or two local governments to also let our people know what ALGON is all about and I don’t think some of our states hold their periodic meetings as such so this will be our first point of call so as to also pass that message of ALGON to our people”, he said.
