Delta Councillors Seek Salary Review, Improved Welfare for Grassroots Governance

Over 500 councillors across Delta State’s 25 local government areas have lamented poor welfare and inadequate support for the legislative arm at the grassroots level.

The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Delta State Councillors Forum, Mr. Ekpemupolo Samuel, during the Delta State Councillors Symposium held on Tuesday in Asaba. The symposium was themed “Repositioning the Grassroots: Strengthening Local Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria in the Wake of Local Government Autonomy.”

Samuel noted that the event was not just a meeting of councillors but a platform to amplify the voices of the grassroots. “Effective governance begins at the smallest unit, where councillors serve as the direct bridge between government and the governed,” he said.

He highlighted the challenges faced by councillors, noting that they often carry out oversight duties under harsh weather conditions without official vehicles, which undermines efficiency and dignity. He also pointed out that the welfare of councillors remains poor despite their pivotal role in local governance.

Samuel appealed for an upward review of councillors’ salaries or a reversion to pre-2018 rates, arguing that improvements in the national economy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori have yet to be reflected in councillors’ remuneration. He also urged the provision of constituency projects to ensure that councillors can effectively deliver development in their wards.

Governor Oborevwori, who declared the symposium open, clarified that previous salary adjustments were made in line with Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) guidelines following Auditor-General queries, not arbitrarily. He, however, directed local government chairmen to actively involve councillors in ward-based projects, emphasizing that councilorship is about service, sacrifice, and accountability.

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, keynote speaker at the symposium, called for the extension of council tenure from three to four years in line with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy. He also stressed the need for constituency projects to empower councillors and drive development at the grassroots.