In a move aimed at ensuring fiscal prudence and transparency, the Ebonyi State Assembly convened a special session to scrutinise the remuneration packages of local government chairmen and councillors. The assembly’s review, prompted by growing public concern over rising public expenditure, seeks to align salaries with performance metrics and budgetary constraints.
The Ebonyi State Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Ezeh, held a special session on Tuesday, 24 September 2026, to review the salaries of local government chairmen and councillors across the state’s 13 local government areas (LGAs). The deliberations came amid a nationwide push for greater accountability in the use of public funds, following several high‑profile investigations into irregularities in local government finances. During the session, the Assembly’s Finance Committee presented a comprehensive report that outlined current salary structures, allowances, and the financial impact on the state budget. According to the report, the total annual cost of salaries and allowances for all 65 chairmen and 260 councillors amounts to approximately ₦4.2 billion, a figure that represents a 12% rise over the previous fiscal year. The committee cited inflation, rising cost of living, and the need to attract competent personnel as primary factors behind the hikes. Opposition members, however, called for a more stringent review. “We are witnessing a surge in public expenditure that is not justified by the performance of local governments,” said Senator A. Okafor, a leading voice from the opposition. He urged the Assembly to introduce performance‑based pay scales and to link remuneration to key development indicators such as the completion of infrastructure projects, improvement in health and education outcomes, and the effective collection of local taxes. Speaker Ezeh responded by emphasising that the Assembly’s mandate is to protect taxpayers’ money while ensuring that local leaders are adequately compensated for their responsibilities. “We are not looking to reduce salaries arbitrarily,” he said. “Our goal is to create a balanced framework that rewards performance and discourages complacency.” The Assembly’s deliberations included a review of the existing salary bands. Currently, council chairmen receive a base salary of ₦5 million per annum, supplemented by a housing allowance of ₦1.5 million, a transport allowance of ₦1 million, and a discretionary performance bonus that can range from 10% to 30% of the base salary. Councillors, on the other hand, receive a base salary of ₦2.5 million per annum, with allowances that mirror those of chairmen but at reduced rates. The Finance Committee’s report also highlighted that many local governments have been unable to fully utilise the allocated budgets due to a lack of transparency and accountability. Several LGAs were found to have outstanding debts, with some even defaulting on payment of staff salaries for several months. The committee stressed that a review of salaries is not merely about cutting costs but also about ensuring that local governments are financially sustainable. The Assembly is expected to propose a new salary structure that incorporates a tiered system based on performance indicators. This system would allow chairmen and councillors to earn additional allowances for meeting specific targets, such as improving local health outcomes, increasing school enrolment, and boosting local tax collection. The proposal also includes a mechanism for annual performance reviews conducted by an independent audit panel. The panel would assess each official’s contributions and recommend salary adjustments accordingly. This approach aims to foster a culture of meritocracy and accountability across Ebonyi’s local governments. The public response to the Assembly’s initiative has been largely positive. A recent poll conducted by the Ebonyi Citizen’s Forum found that 68% of respondents support the review of local government salaries, citing concerns over mismanagement and the need for transparent governance. The Ebonyi Assembly’s move is part of a broader national trend. In Lagos, the State Assembly recently passed a bill that ties local government salaries to the state’s economic performance. Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Finance has announced a new framework for local government budgeting that emphasises fiscal responsibility and performance-based incentives. If adopted, the proposed salary framework could set a precedent for other states. By aligning remuneration with measurable outcomes, Ebonyi could improve local government performance, attract skilled professionals, and ultimately deliver better services to its citizens. The Assembly will reconvene on 1 October 2026 to vote on the final proposal. Should the bill pass, it would mark a significant step toward fiscal transparency and efficient public service delivery in Ebonyi State.
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