Following allegations of non-payment of salaries against Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau State governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, while he was Chairman, Mangu Local Government Council, LGC, between 2014 and 2015, a former union leader has exonerated the former Council Chairman of any wrongdoing in a telephone interview with newsmen on Monday evening.

Comrade Alex Bitson a former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Mangu Local Government Area, LGA, Chapter, spoke on behalf of union leaders who served together when Barr. Caleb Mutfwang was Chairman of the Council.

Describing the allegations as false and unfounded, Comrade Alex revealed that Mutfwang was one of the best Chairmen they worked with, who was worker friendly, and concerned about staff welfare. He added that their memory of him in Mangu is not what some people are peddling now for obvious political reasons.

In his words, “Hon. Caleb Mutfwang remains one of the best Chairmen Mangu ever had, who was worker friendly and had great plans for the workers aside his other developmental efforts. If not for the fact that his administration was interrupted after a short time in office, we trusted his methods and were looking forward to better days in the locality.

“He had already started demonstrating that by the payment of some outstanding entitlements of workers and allowances. He also ensured that all offices were properly furnished to make them befitting and conducive for workers to operate. To this day. Mangu has the best office furniture compared to other Local Governments in the State. This can be verified by anyone in doubt”.

Shedding light on the Mangu LGA salary controversy, the former NULGE Chairman, stated that the problem is with the system not Barr. Caleb Mutfwang or any other Chairman.

“Mangu LGA has one of the highest wage bills in the State because there are so many Primary School teachers in the payroll. In addition, Local Government Workers have always been owed salaries and are still being owed even now. We cannot just say the fault is the Chairmen. It is a systemic problem. And those are the problems we hope Hon. Caleb Mutfwang will come and address if given the opportunity, because he is someone who was a victim of the same faulty system which seeks to disable Local Government administration in Plateau State.

The former NULGE Chairman admonished government workers to desist from smearing the image of respected personalities in the name of politics. He further advised civil servants to avoid lying against government for whatever personal gains.

Presently, both State and Local Government workers in Plateau State are being owed salaries for several months, a disturbing trend that should be stopped as soon as possible.

count | 43

Non-payment of salaries allegations: Former NULGE Chairman Vindicates Mutfwang