The Governors of Kebbi and Akwa Ibom States have joined the growing list of governors that have approved figures above the 70,000 benchmark for the workers in their states as the new minimum wage.
In Kebbi State, Governor Nasir Idris approved N75,000 while Governor Umo Eno approved N80,000 as minimum wage for their state workers.
In the case of Kebbi State, Governor Idris has directed the State’s Accountant-General and the Ministry of Finance to begin the payment of the new minimum wage immediately.
The governor signed the new minimum wage into law at the Government House Chambers on Wednesday, in the presence of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero and other executives of the union.
He said the approval for the payment of the new minimum wage was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to improve the welfare of workers in the state and protect their rights.
In his remarks, the NLC president commended Governor Idris for not disappointing the union over the minimum wage and other projects he had embarked on in the state since he was elected.
On its part, the Akwa Ibom State Government Wednesday announced a minimum wage of N80,000 for its employees.
The Commissioner of Information in the state, Mr Ini Ememobong, stated that the N80,000 minimum wage announcement is a reflection of the government’s committed to the welfare of workers.
In a press statement signed on Wednesday in Uyo, Ememobong explained that Governor Umo Eno had instituted an implementation committee to ensure the smooth operation of the policy.
“To ensure a smooth rollout of this policy, the governor has also constituted an implementation committee, which has been given one month to deliver its report on how the wage increase will be executed,” he stated.
The 15-member committee chaired by the Head of the Civil Service, Elder Effiong Essien, is made up of the State leadership of the NLC, Trade Union Congress, and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) among others.
