Delta councillors seek salary review

Over 500 councilors in 25 Local Government Area of Delta State have lamented poor welfare of the legislative arm at the grassroot level.

The Chairman Delta State Councilors Forum, Mr Ekpemupolo Samuel made the request at a Councillors Symposium heled on Tuesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Samuel said even was not just meeting of councillors; but a gathering of voices for the grassroots, anchored on the theme “Repositioning the Grassroots: Strengthening Local Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria in the Wake of Local Government Autonomy,”

He said, “Your Excellency, I stand before you today not just as the Chairman of the Delta State Councillors’ Forum, but as a proud councillor, a grassroots legislator entrusted with the sacred responsibility of carrying the voice of the people into the council chambers

On behalf of the Delta State Councillors’ Forum, I warmly welcome you all to this historic gathering, the Delta State Councillors’ Symposium 2025.

“This theme reminds us that effective governance begins at the smallest unit, where councillors serve as the direct bridge between government and the governed.

“But the welfare of Councillors are very poor. Councillors are the first point of contact for the people, daily carrying their constituents’ burdens ranging from community disputes to survival needs. Yet, without a welfare framework that recognises this reality, councillors are overstretched and unable to serve effectively. Improving welfare is therefore essential to empower councillors to meet the daily demands of their communities

On May 11, 2024, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a landmark judgment, held that democratically elected Local Government Councils are entitled to a four-year tenure, just like the federal and state, and that any tenure less than four years is Inconsistent with the Constitution and therefore Invalid.

“The legislative mandate of councillors includes oversight of local projects, schools, health centres, and community infrastructure. To fulfil this role, councillors require official vehicles to go about their official duties. Most times, councillors are compelled to carry out their oversight functions under the scorching sun or in the rain, a situation that undermines both efficiency and dignity of service”

The Councilors also requested for salary review, provision of constituency projects, noting that prior to 2018, councillors earned more than they currently earning due to the downward adjustment made in response to economic realities at that time.

However, today, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the economy shows signs of improvement. Yet this has not been reflected in councillors remuneration.

“We therefore appeal for an upward review of councillors salaries, or the very least, a reversion to pre-2018 rates, in order to restore dignity to the office and enable councillors to discharge their duties effectively” he added

Declaring the Symposium open, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori clarified that adjustments to salaries were made in line with Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) regulations following Auditor-General queries, not arbitrary reductions.

He however, highlighted improvements, including severance benefits now payable in installments before tenure expiration.

On constituency projects, Oborevwori directed Local Government chairmen to always carry councillors along and ensure ward-based projects are executed to reflect true representation, saying that councilorship is about service, sacrifice, and accountability.

The former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who was a keynote speaker at the event called for review from three years to four years tenure at the council level in Delta state.

Okowa also stated that constituency projects should be provided for the Councilors with a view to bring development in their various ward.

“With the recent Supreme court judgment on local government autonomy, we need to visit 1999 constitution” he advised

Cupped from punch