joshuaMy administration has fully implemented new minimum wage -Gov Nwifuru
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The executive Governor of Ebonyi State Chief Francis Nwifuru has said his adminstration has fully implemented the new national minimum wage in the State as enshrined in the law.
The Governor stated this while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki following the strike embarked upon by workers of the State as directed by Nigeria labor congress NLC in the State.
Governor Nwifuru explained that his administration in keeping with his pronouncement on the matter commenced the payment of N75,000 to the least paid worker in the state in October 2024 with N40,000 across board from Level 03 to Level 16.
He insisted that the state government was not owing any worker in the state any salary, including pensions and gratuities to retired workers, and condemned the action of the labour leaders in calling out the workers for a strike, which he described as needless.
He urged all workers to continue to report to their duty posts and attend to their various duties or face the wrath of the government.
“And we are paying the minimum wage as enshrined in the Act of the National Assembly, and every worker is being promoted accordingly.
“So, I don’t know where we’ve gone wrong.
“I don’t know why our state should start a fight where there is no cause for it.
“I am paying you what is supposed to be paid.
He described the action as unnecessary and a deliberate attempt to embarrass the government.
“As a government we are to obey the law. We must respect the provisions of the constitution.
“And the law says the minimum wage must be 70,000.
“I have exceeded the nationally agreed #70,000 with additional #5000.
“I have not had issues with the Labour and before becoming the Governor, I knew some realities in the light of the economic uncertainties we are faced.
“This is the reason I added 20,000, wage allowances, and bought vehicles for the Labour.
“To assist the workforce, we provided CNG buses to convey the workers to their offices and back at no cost”
“The law passed by the National Assembly is Minimum Wage, not salary increments.
“Cognisant of the current situation, I increased the minimum wage to 75, 000.
“I am surprised they are part of the strike. ”
The Governor said apart from full implementation of the new minimum wage, his administration has been consistent in improving the welfare of workers.
“As I speak, we are not owing pension and gratuities.
“I am shocked that our state joined the strike”.
The Governor urged workers to return to work warning that only those available at their duty posts will receive salaries.
