By Festus Ahon, Perez Brisibe & Ochuko Akuopha

UGHELLI—Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, has, shut Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State over the non-payment of May, 2015 half salary to staff of the council.

Addressing newsmen at the council secretariat, NULGE Chairman in the council, Mr Charles Odogu accused the council chairman, Head of Personnel Management, HPM, and Treasurer of colluding to divert the funds meant for payment of salaries.

He alleged that the union had gathered that the allocation that came to the council had already been exhausted, saying “What we are saying is that the half salary must be paid. If at all any other expenses are to be made, the staff salary is a priority; they must first of all be paid before any other thing.”

Reacting to the development, the council chairman, Mr. Paul Etaga, said there was no diversion of funds in the council. His words: “N28 million came and we intended paying half salary and when we looked at our half salary wage bill, it is about N35 million.

“When we paid three months salaries after the last strike, we omitted some persons and we agreed that the sweepers that were not paid before should be paid five months arrears.”