The Impact of Delayed Emoluments on Local Government Administration in Nigeria: Outlining the Crisis and Solutions
Eseosa E. Aimuan & Joseph Unufe
Department of Public Administration
Faculty of Social Sciences
University of Benin
Email: eseosa.aimuan@uniben.edu; joseph.unufe@uniben.edu
Corresponding Author: Eseosa E. Aimuan
ABSTRACT
Prompt payment of salaries and wages has always been a major challenge facing local government administration in Nigeria since the 1976 local government reforms. The paper reveals that the problem of delayed salaries and wages in Nigeria is wide spread and according to the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) no fewer than 23 states owe local government employees their hard earns entitlements spanning a period of one (1) to sixteen (16) months. It is on this premise that the study is set to evaluate and highlight the significance of prompt payment of salaries and wages as crucial factors towards achieving the aims and objectives of any local government in the country. The employers of labour are aware of the fact that delay in payment of emoluments is also one way of de-motivating workers in an organization and this also have adverse effects on the smooth process of administration at the local level. The major conclusion of this study is that employee’s play key role in enhancing grassroots’ developmental growth and sustainability; therefore it is important that they are paid adequately and promptly. In view of the above, the study therefore recommends that local government councils across the country must give the necessary attention that emoluments deserve, as this will help boost the morale of employees which will in turn result in higher productivity.
Keywords: Emoluments, Salaries and Wages, Administration, Local Government
