Okowa, Ikpeazu, Lalong, Ganduje reassure workers of N30, 000 pay

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday reassured workers in the state, that the N30, 000 minimum wage will be paid as and when due, just as he described labour unions as defenders of employees’ welfare.

Okowa gave the assurances while addressin members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the May Day celebration in Asaba.

“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,” he said.

State Chairman of TUC, Michael Nwobodo and his NLC counterpart, Goodluck Oforbruku, commended Governor Okowa for being labour-friendly and for prompt payment of workers salaries.

Also, his Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu allayed the fears of Abia workers that they may not be paid their new minimum wage of N30, 000 and speculations that the state government may introduce Abia formula.

State NLC Chairman, Uchenna Obigwe, said the state workers would not accept any Abia Formula other than full payment saying: “ Abia Workers are optimistic that the governor will implement the new minimum wage without delay, as there will be no Abia Formula.”

Ikpeazu, who was absent at the rally spoke through the state’s Head of Service (HOS), Onyii Wamah, who said that the governor would continue to do what would make the workers happy.

Besides, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, has assured civil servants in the state that he would not renege on his promise to pay the new minimum wage, but tasked the workers to expose all leakages and ghost workers so that the state could have more resources to take care of its workforce.

He stated this during the 2019 May Day celebration at Rwang Pam Stadium, Jos saying he was a member of the National Minimum Wage Committee representing Governors Forum and had pledged to stand by the resolution reached.

Speaking, State Chairman NLC, Eugene Manji commended Lalong for prompt payment of salaries, 2012 leave and transport allowances, among others.

Meanwhile, Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje also reassured of his readiness to commence payment of N30, 000 new minimum wage as signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ganduje, who disclosed Kano State position on the new salary regime during May Day celebration yesterday, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to revive workers productivity in Kano.

Responding, state Chairman of NLC, Kabiru Ado Mingibir, appealed to the government to hasten the payment of over N16.7 billion outstanding liabilities to 9, 871 retired civil servants awaiting their entitlements.