We’ll pay N30,000 minimum wage – Govs assure workers

Most of the state governors yesterday re-assured organised labour that they would honour their words and pay the newly approved N30,000 minimum wage to workers.

Some of the governors, who fully participated in the May Day rally, said they were already putting committees in place and also waiting for the National Income and Wages Commission to work out the details for all the states to enable them commence a smooth implementation of the process.

The position of the governors is gradually putting to rest doubts that majority of them would renege on the payment due to the fact that some of them currently owe months of unpaid arrears even when the minimum wage was N18,000.

Disclosing his commitment to labour at the Peace Park in Yenogoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Governor Seriake Dickson reiterated his resolve to pay the new minimum wage to civil servants.

He urged civil servants in the state to exercise patience while the state government awaits the modalities from the National Income and Wages Commission for the modalities affecting all cadres of workers.

He said: “I have been a believer of the N30,000 new minimum wage for long, I believe in it. The Government of Bayelsa State has announced over and over that we are not against the new minimum wage in principle.
“Right now, we are waiting for the National Income and Wages Commission to work out the details to send to every state. We are in support of the new minimum wage, we will pay the N30,000 minimum wage,” Dickson said.

In Delta State, the workers went into wild jubilation as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa officially said his administration was committed to the payment of N30,000 minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government.
The governor said his administration would not lag behind or be found wanting among the states in Nigeria at the forefront of the payment.

He said: “The efforts of the trade unions towards the promotion of the interests of Nigerian workers have not gone unnoticed and I wish to reiterate the determination of the state government to pay workers the N30,000 new minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.”

In Ekiti State, Governor Kayode Fayemi, represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, said the state would not lag behind in the implementation of the new wage.
The governor said: “Every worker in the country is expecting payment of the new minimum wage. By the grace of God, Ekiti will not lag behind in its implementation. This, we believe, will inspire workers to give their best.”
On his part, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, also pledged to pay the new wage once appropriated for by the state House of Assembly.

According to the governor, a joint negotiating committee, comprising of representatives of government and the organised labour in the state, would be inaugurated today to ensure effective implementation of the new wage.
“The payment will, however, pass through legislation of the state House of Assembly like what was obtained in the National Assembly, which appropriated N160 billion for its payment.
“It is not going to be a new law, but an appropriation of an increase in salary with an approval to make such payment monthly,” he said.

In the same vein, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, said the state government would be one of the pacesetters among states that will implement the new national minimum wage.
In Kano, Governor Abdulahi Ganduje explained that arrangements had been completed for the implementation of the new wage approved by President Muhammad Buhari.
The Kebbi Governor, Atiku Bagudu, also noted that the state government would give the new wage bill all the necessary attention it deserves by his administration.
Describing workers as the backbone of any growing economy, he said their welfare was also very essential to this administration.

“We have not taken it as a burden to pay salary as and when due, but also ensure the payment of leave grant to all category of workers,’’ Bagudu added.
Also giving his assurance to the state civil servants, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State urged workers to pray for financial windfall to enable his administration implement the new national wage, saying his administration was committed to the welfare of workers and had prioritised payment of salary and pension.

In Jigawa, Governor Muhammad Badaru called on the civil servants to ensure maximum productivity as it planned to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.
The governor, who assured that the state had concluded arrangements to pay the N30,000 minimum wage, however, said that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
The Benue State Government also agreed to pay the new minimum wage to its workers.

Governor Samuel Ortom said that the government would soon meet with the labour body in the state to look into the implementation of the new minimum wage.
Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Benson Abounu, said that workers’ welfare would be his utmost priority in his second tenure as the governor of Benue.
The same scenario also played out in Edo State, where Governor Godwin Obaseki said he would set up a joint committee for the implementation of the N30, 000 minimum wage for the workers.
He said the committee would be set up while the state awaits the guidelines for payment from the National Salaries and Wages  Commission.

He added that his administration was ready to pay above the N30,000 minimum wage, as soon as the state’s revenue increases.
In Katsina State, the government assured workers that the government would follow due process before the implementation.
The state governor, Aminu Masari, said: “A worker is like a vehicle engine, if you service it, it will function well, likewise, if the government trains workers they will do more in actualizing its policies and programmes.”
Also in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu assured workers that his administration would pay the new minimum wage.
He also promised that outstanding leave bonuses would be paid soon, saying that welfare of workers was paramount to his administration.
Governor Mohammed Bindow of Adamawa promised that the state government would implement the N30,000 minimum wage.
Bindow said that implementing the new wage was a demonstration of his commitment to improving the welfare of workers in the state.

On its part, the Bauchi State Government said it would set up a committee for the implementation of the new wage for workers.

Governor Muhammed Abubakar said that the committee would work out the implementation of the minimum wage.
Also in Oyo, the outgoing Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, assured the state’s workforce of his administration’s resolve to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.
He said as soon as the ongoing negotiations initiated by labour leaders with the government were concluded and documented, the enhanced salaries would be paid to elevate the living condition of the workers.
Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi also assured workers in the state that his administration would give the new minimum wage signed into law by the Federal Government necessary attention.

Bagudu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Babale Yauri, said: “Be rest assured that the new minimum wage would be given all the necessary attention by this administration.”
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau also pledged to pay the new minimum wage to workers in the state, saying he would also sustain the regular payment of civil servants salaries in his second tenure in office.