The chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Ebonyi, Chinedu Uburu, has revealed a shocking discovery that workers who died as far back as 2009 are still receiving salaries from the state’s local government coffers.
Uburu made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by the executives of the Ebonyi chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Samson Nwafor, in Abakaliki. He explained that the anomaly was uncovered during an ongoing verification exercise at the various local government areas in the state.
The ALGON chairman expressed concerns about the local governments’ inability to pay salaries due to the federal government’s increase in the minimum wage. He urged workers who have yet to receive their payments to remain patient, stating that the verification exercise is aimed at helping workers, not targeting them.

Uburu also commended the leadership of the NUJ for upholding professionalism, noting that the media plays a vital role in disseminating accurate information to the public. In response, Nwafor emphasized the union’s commitment to fostering a healthy relationship between journalists and the government.
Nwafor assured ALGON of the NUJ’s continued support for efforts aimed at sustainable development, highlighting the media’s role in serving the public interest. He noted that journalism is no longer about attacking the government, but about supporting it, advising when necessary, and ensuring the state’s progress.