PDP Critiques Benue Government's Attendance Directive for Local Councils

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has launched a robust critique of a recent directive issued by the state government, which requires all 23 Local Government Councils to maintain daily attendance registers for their employees. The party argues that this move represents an unnecessary interference with local government autonomy, a key principle that allows councils to operate independently and manage their affairs without undue external influence.

The directive, reportedly issued via a letter from the Benue State Local Government Service Commission and signed by its Permanent Secretary, John Akume, mandates that local councils keep attendance records and stipulates that only those workers who achieve a minimum of 25 days of punctual attendance will qualify for their monthly salaries. According to the commission, this measure was implemented following an order from Governor Hyacinth Alia aimed at enhancing accountability within the state civil service.

In a statement, the PDP expressed concern that such a policy could lead to significant financial distress for local government employees, particularly those who may be unable to meet the stringent attendance requirements due to various legitimate circumstances. The party emphasized that the stipulation not only threatens the livelihoods of many workers but also undermines the autonomy of local governments to manage their staffing and operational policies effectively.

"This directive is a blatant attempt to encroach on the rights of local government councils and their ability to function autonomously. We call on the state government to reconsider this directive and uphold the principles of local governance," said a spokesperson for the PDP.

The PDP's condemnation reflects broader concerns regarding governance practices in Nigeria, where local autonomy is often challenged by state-level policies. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are keenly observing how the Benue State government will respond to these criticisms and whether they will amend or uphold the controversial directive.