Taraba council chairman denies withholding workers salaries

The chairman of Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State, Dauda Aboki, has finally broken his silence over allegations making the rounds on workers monthly remuneration.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday in Jalingo, the state capital, the chairman dismissed allegations that some staff have not received their salaries for over four months.

Some of the council workers had earlier complained about delayed payments, pointing fingers at the chairman.

Reacting to the allegations, Aboki, who described the claims as unfounded, clarified that most of the disgruntled workers are not officially recorded on the council’s payroll.

The employees, according to him, were initially intended to replace their retired or deceased parents, but their documentation has not been completed, leading to delays in salary processing.

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Laying the blame on the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, in the council, he urged them to ensure that the workers in question are properly documented.

Aboki also emphasized that his administration has no negative intentions toward the affected workers or NULGE but insisted on following due process to maintain accountability.

While explaining that the number of employees in question does not exceed 37, he vowed that once the proper documentation is completed, the workers will be included in the payroll and paid accordingly.

Abdulmumuni Isa, the NULGE chairman, had earlier confirmed that the workers have not been paid since January 2024.

The NULGE boss also warned that the unresolved salary delays could severely impact the council’s operations if not urgently addressed.

Some of the disgruntled workers who spoke with Newspot, shared their frustration, stating that they had been employed in various departments within the council and had received their monthly pay slips and promotions.

They also noted that the chairman’s refusal to pay their salaries for four months has led to hunger, starvation, and general hardship among them and their families.