Governors approve payment of minimum wage – TheNigerialawyer

WORKERS joy knew no bound in some states yesterday as they got
assurances  of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage from
governors.

At rallies to mark the May Day, Edo, Adamawa, Ondo, Cross River,
Zamfara, Oyo, Ebonyi, Delta, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Anambra
governors said they would pay the wage.

Outgoing Governors Mohammed Bindow (Adamawa), Abiola Ajimobi
(Oyo) and Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) pledged to begin implementation
of the pay before they go on May 29.

But Governor Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Abdulfatah Ahmed
(Kwara) said they were awaiting the National Income and Wages
Commission (NIWC) to release modalities for the wages
implementation.

In Calabar, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade paid May salary
to mark the day. But Labout protested, saying it was too early to
do so.

The May Day was celebrated with fanfare across the states and
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) where Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo took the workers’ salute on behalf of President Muhammadu
Buhari.

The event went like this in the states:

Edo

Workers hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki when he announced plans
to begin immediate payment of the minimum wage.

Speaking at the rally held at the University of Bénin Sports
Complex, Obaseki said a joint team of labour and government
officials would be raised to formulate modalities for the
payment.

He said he would put in place motivational incentives for the
workers because they remained valuable assets.

Adamawa

Governor Mohammed Bindow said he would pay the wage before he
leaves office.

“I will pay the 30,000 minimum wage before I leave office,”
Bindow said to the applause of workers who gathered at the
Muhammadu Ribadu Square in Yola for the May Day rally under the
auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union
Congress (TUC).

He said there had been no crisis with the workers since he
became governor (in 2015) because he always carried them along.

“Welfare and good conditions of service have been important to
us. There is no arrears whatever as far as salary is concerned. We
have paid up to April 2019 and nobody can say we are owing him any
salary,” he said.

The governor said the money he borrowed as governor was to
augment income to settle salary, stressing: “I have not borrowed
one kobo for capital projects. We did not borrow to execute any of
the many capital projects that we’ve executed. We only borrowed to
augment salary for civil servants.”

He asked the people to coorporate with the incoming government
so that the state would progress. “The progress of Adamawa has
always been my interest. I am happy we have done infrastructure
which is important. I hope my successor will do more so that
Adamawa can continue to progress,” he said.

NLC Chairman Mr Emmauel Fache asked the government to provide
financial backing for the payment of recently promoted civil
servants.

Ondo

In Akure, the Ondo State capital, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu
said his administration would continue to keep its promise to
workers by making their welfare directive principles of state
policy.

At the May Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom
Arcade, Igbatoro Road, he saluted the workers for their cooperation
since the inception of his administration.

He said: “It is expected, therefore, that all those who serve
diligently should also be catered for during and, more importantly,
after they must have disengaged from public service.

“On our part, this administration continues to keep its promises
to the workers and people of the state that their welfare shall be
the directive principles of state policy. We have been able to
strike a delicate balance in discharging this duty to both the
workers and the people, within the available resources.

“Not only have we been able to manage the severely limited
funds, our administration, with your commitment, has just been
rated number one in Internally Generated Revenue rating in the
country by the National Bureau of Statistics.

“We believe that the most effective way to ameliorate the poor
living conditions of our people is to bridge the infrastructural
deficit in the state.

“Unless and until the hinterlands, upon which our aspiration
towards self-sufficiency in food production is anchored, are linked
to the urban centres, in a design which promotes cooperation on
socio-economic fronts, poverty will not be tackled effectively.

“The provision of social amenities such as water, as exemplified
by the drive of the government to reach all the nooks and crannies
of the state, as well as the recent supply of medical equipment to
all the facilities in the 18 local governments, attune with our
determination to make life more meaningful for our people.”

Cross River

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, through the Secretary to
the State Government, Tina Agbor, promised to implement the new
minimum wage as soon as the Federal Government sorts out the
modalities.

The governor has paid May salaries, but labour complained that
it was too early.

TUC Chairman Comrade Clarkson Otu said workers and the
leadership of labour were unhappy over such early payment of
salaries, even though the government means well.

“As labour leaders we do not support it (early salaries
payment). We have told His Excellency that it is not proper. April
salary was paid only last week and on May 1st he pays May salary.
We are surprised he still paid early this month in spite of our
protest. We will continue to engage him on that,” he said.

NLC Chairman Comrade Ben Ukpepi also decried the early salary
payment.

Ukpepi said labour would engage with the governor to seek an end
to the practice.

Zamfara

In Gusau, Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said civil
servants in the state would be the first in the country to enjoy
the minimum wage.

He added that outstanding pension and gratuity will be settled
before May 29.

Yari, who spoke through the secretary to the State Government
Prof. Abdullahi Muhammad Shinkafi, urged the workers to cooperate
with government on the ghost workers’ syndrome in order to enjoy
more salary scale and other benefits.

The government, he said, faced difficulties in salary payments
because of “incessant increase of ghost workers in the
payroll”.

Yari explained that in most instances names of house wives are
inserted in the payroll without the women’s knowledge.

Yari urged the workers to help government fish out unscrupulous
top government officials that engage in the practice, stressing
that the workers would be helping themselves by rendering
assistance in sanitising the civil service.

NLC Chairman Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara urged the government
to fulfil its promises.

Mafara disclosed that the labor union in Zamfara state is ready
to assist and cooperate with the government in any aspect that will
ensure the welfare of workers.

Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi said his administration would pay the
wage after the ongoing conclusion of negotiations with labour
leaders.

Represented by his deputy, Otunba Moses Adeyemo, at the Workers’
Day rally at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan,
Ajimobi reiterated his administration’s resolve to reach an
amicable agreement with labour on the matter.

Ajimobi said: “Let me at this juncture congratulate the workers
on the New Minimum Wage which has just been approved by President
Muhammadu Buhari.

“At the instance of the labour unions, government very recently,
in furtherance of its responsibility as an employer of labour and
indeed our exemplary cordial government-labour relations held a
meeting on the issue of the National Minimum Wage Law 2019.

“I wish to restate the commitment of the government of Oyo State
that the State will honour the Minimum Wage Act as soon as ongoing
negotiations are concluded and necessary templates and
documentation are issued.”

Ajimobi urged workers to reciprocate the government’s gesture by
being more dedicated to their jobs. He also implored them to give
the incoming administration of Mr Seyi Makinde the same support
given to his administration in the last eight years.

The governor said workers affected during the certificate
verification would be given a second chance to verify their claims,
adding that “those with genuine cases would be reabsorbed into
service as the administration had no interest in punishing innocent
workers but those parading forged educational, birth and other
certificates.

“I charge all workers to reciprocate the various good gestures
of the state government by being more dedicated, proactive and
punctual at their duty post for an overall increase in
productivity. The public service is no longer a dumping ground for
mediocre. We all must stand up and stand right to reposition the
system for better service delivery.

“The state government has approved that those that were affected
by the recently concluded certification verification be given a
second chance to re-verify their claims. Those with very genuine
cases would be reconsidered.

“The state government has no interest in punishing innocent
people, however unscrupulous elements parading fake and forged
educational, birth and other extraneous documents would not be
allowed a place in the service of the State.”

Earlier, TUC Chairman Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran and his NLC
counterpart Comrade Titilola Sodo called on the Ajimobi-led
government to fulfil its promise on the minimum wage and provide a
conducive environment for workers.

Ogundiran and Sodo urged the governor to settle lingering
industrial issues and pledged that the workers would be more
productive.

Ebonyi

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has approved the N30, 000
wage and promised to continue to work for workers’ welfare in the
years ahead.

Addressing workers during the Workers’ Day Celebration at the Pa
Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Umahi hailed the civil servants for
their role in his reelection.

“In my presentation, I did promise that our state shall not be
the first and shall not be last to pay the new national minimum
wage. So I, therefore, approve the new minimum wage for our civil
servants in the state”

He said his administration placed high premium on workers’
welfare, adding: “In my administration, all I have done in the last
four years was to address your challenges and develop workable
blueprint to address your problems; I am happy to say that within
the years under review, tremendous milestones have been achieved in
terms of prioritising your welfare”.

“Without boring you with the obvious, it has been my opinion
that workers in this country are not yet at their best in terms of
being taken care of, but with various programmes I initiated in my
administration, I can beat my chest to say that we were not
oblivious of these challenges staring you in the face but we have
initiated measures to ameliorate your sufferings”.

“My administration has increased workers’ salaries by 5 percent
in the face of the dwindling federal allocation accruable to states
with Ebonyi at the lowest ebb. Beyond the increment in workers’
salaries, we have given workers over N4billion loan to access to go
into agriculture to help them as no amount of wage increase can
address the conflicting priorities of workers in this country”, he
said.

Earlier, NLC Chairman Comrade Leo Nkah praised the governor for
the workers’ welfare allowances and appealed for speedy
implementation of the New Pension Law act of 2014.

Anambra

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Wednesday reaffirmed
his commitment to implementing the wage.

He said he would begin the implementation once the government
release the guidelines for payment.

Addressing workers during the Workers’ Day celebration at
Ekwueme Square, Awka, he said his administration was ready to offer
better opportunities that would promote workers’ welfare.

He said, “I have formally declared the intention of my
administration to pay the newly approved minimum wage in Anambra
State.

“I will begin the implementation once the guidelines for the
payment of the minimum wage are released by the Federal
Government.”

The governor explained that his administration had been fair to
the workers, saying, “We have never failed to pay salaries, come
rain come shine.”

“We have cleared outstanding pensions that had accumulated for
over 25 years, from the inception of our state. We have continued
to give out bags of rice to workers to give everyone a sense of
belonging during Christmas seasons.

“The Mass Transit buses we provided have made life more bearable
to our workers. And in the middle of all these, we are carrying out
the renovation of our secretariat to give it a proper facelift.”
Earlier, NLC Chairman Comrade Jerry Nnubia praised the governor for
his quality and visionary leadership, especially in providing
security, which had attracted various investors for economic
growth.

He however regretted the high rate of unemployment especially
among the youths in the country. “This trend should not be allowed
to continue otherwise it will spell doom economically, socially and
politically in the country. TUC Chairman Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu
urged the governor to sustain prompt payment of workers salary and
promotion and further create windows of opportunities that would
promote excellent service delivery.

Delta

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa assured civil servants of his readiness
to pay the minimum wage. He described labour unions as great
defenders of workers’ welfare. Okowa said: “The efforts of the
trade unions towards the promotion of the interests of workers have
not gone unnoticed and I wish to reiterate the determination of the
state government to pay workers the N30, 000 minimum wage approved
by the Federal Government.”

“I, therefore, call on workers in the state to re-dedicate
themselves to the service of our beloved state for the benefit of
all.” The governor added: “The prevailing cordial industrial
relations in the state have encouraged government to sustain its
welfare and training programme; we have consistently paid salaries
as when due; let me assure you all of this administration’s policy
of investment in the well-being and professional growth of workers
through training and exposure to modern techniques.”

He said plans were afoot to recall some employees that were
dropped and “to open up more skill acquisition opportunities for
the absorption of our youths to train in various fields and trades
for self-employment.”

“I commend the labour unions for consistently defending and
advancing the political, economic and social rights of workers;
your efforts towards promoting the interests of workers have not
gone unnoticed and as partners in progress, I enjoin you (labour)
to continue your hard work, resilience and commitment because, we
are partners in this undertaking of governance and together, we
will succeed in building a greater Delta State,” he said. Highpoint
of the occasion was Okowa’s presentation of a brand new car to a
civil servant, Mr Benson Ekotor who was erroneously paid the sum of
N53 million which he returned to public coffers. TUC Chairman
Comrade Michael Nwobodo and his NLC counterpart, Comrade Goodluck
Oforbruku thanked Okowa for being labour-friendly listing some of
his administration’s activities to include prompt payment of
salaries.

Rivers

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has assured workers of the
payment of the minimum wage. He said he would begin the payment, as
soon as he receives go ahead from the Federal Government. He said
that he had long decided to pay the wage long before the President
signed the bill into law. Represented at the Workers’ Day rally by
his deputy Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, he thanked the workers for the
contribution to the development of the state, promising to be more
committed in addressing issues that affects workers in the state.
He said “We have not and we will not default in the life of our
administration.

We have kept to the regular payment of salaries since we assumed
office till now. “As a worker-friendly government, we will continue
to do our best to improve the working environment of our civil
servants. “Although we are still financially challenged, I believe
the time has come for us to motivate our workforce and challenge
them to be more productive and committed to the state.
“Accordingly, I am happy to announce the lifting of the ban on
promotions in the civil service.

I wish to also inform you that we have approved the proposal of
the Civil Service Commission for the recruitment of indigenes of
the state to fill existing vacancies and strengthen the commission.
Earlier, NLC Chairman Beatrice Itubo said: “The Labour family in
Rivers State as a critical development partner is satisfied with
the massive infrastructure development embarked upon by the
Governor Nyesom Wike-led administration.” She said: “Our thanks go
to the government of Rivers Rivers State for showing preparedness
to pay the new minimum wage as soon as formalities are done
with.”

Lagos

Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday attributed the
achievements of his administration in the past four years to the
co-operation of the government, workers and union leaders. At the
Workers’ Day Celebration at Agege Stadium where he was represented
by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr
Rotimi Ogunleye, the governor said he came to power with the
resolve to improve workers’ welfare and also work closely with
unions on how to address policy and infrastructural issues. “Having
devoted myself to these objectives for the past four years and,
having worked with you all (both workers and union leaders), I am
glad to say that it has been a pleasure to be your partner on this
journey.

I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am
grateful for the cooperation and support that you have given me.
“Indeed, I am pleased that working together, we have given the
people of Lagos State four beautiful and productive years of
sustained industrial harmony. This is, perhaps, the longest of such
period in the modern history of our state and this achievement was
made possible chiefly as a result of the culture of mutual respect
and understanding we nurtured and deployed.

TUC Chairman Comrade Francis Ogunremi praised Ambode for his
commitment to workers welfare especially in areas of prompt payment
of salary, allowances and timely remittance of workers’ pensions,
describing him as one of the most labour-friendly governors. He
acknowledged the governor’s initiatives in key sectors including
massive road projects, solving traffic challenges especially the
launch of Traffic Information System, repositioning of the state
emergency agency, scaling up security architecture of the state,
construction of Safety Arena, Health Insurance Scheme, among
others. NLC Chairman Comrade Sessi Agnes Funmi said the governor’s
efforts remained a benchmark for other governors.

Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday assured workers
of prompt implementation of the minimum wage. He stressed his
commitment to workers’ welfare, saying: “I want to assure you all
that Akwa Ibom State Government will implement the new minimum wage
Bill which was recently signed into law by President Buhari after
necessary documentations have been effected. “We remain
passionately committed to the welfare of our workers with the
resources available.” He reiterated his commitment to the clearing
of the 10 year backlog of pensions and gratuities. “About four
years ago when I assumed office as the governor of this
state,  the economic frontiers were hazy and mired in
uncertainties.

The nation was going through severe economic challenges and the
ability of the newly sworn governors to fulfil critical obligations
such as payment of salaries became a huge nightmare. ‘’Several
state governments owed salaries to their workers and pensions and
gratuities were affected…through prudent management of the lean
resources available to us, we were able to not only pay salaries
regularly, we went ahead to pay pensions and gratuities, an act we
are still executing.

‘’You will recall that one of the first tasks I performed
shortly after being sworn in was to clear a 10-year back-log of
pensions and gratuities”,he said. “The organised labour has been
very supportive of my administration, and for this, I remain deeply
indebted and grateful. ‘’The maintenance of industrial peace in
Akwa Ibom State has helped in the realization of a stable economic
growth in the state and an atmosphere of shared commitment to
peace, prosperity and development of our dear stated,” Emmanuel
said.

Osun

Osun state will begin the implementation of the National Health
Insurance Scheme (NHIS) this month to facilitate accessible and
beneficial healthcare to the people, Governor Adegboyega Oyeola
said yesterday. According to him, the government will begin to
release its counterpart funding by the end of the month.

He praised the workers for supporting the policies, actions and
programmes of his administration. The Governor spoke at the
Workers’ Day Celebration at the Osogbo City Stadium. Oyetola,
represented by his deputy, Benedict Alabi, said the workers had
shown their competence as the engine room of government. Oyetola
said: “For these and more, I commend and celebrate the workers for
a display of unparalleled commitment, industry and patriotism that
are in tandem with the 21st Century competitive world.

“The conduct and character of workers have further given vent to
the reputation of the state as one of the most peaceful states in
the nation”. NLC Chairman Comrade Jacob Adekomi, lauded the
government for prioritising the workers’ welfare. Adekomi hailed
Oyetola for sustaining the full payment of salaries and pensions to
workers since assumption of office. He said: “We appreciate the
effort of the present administration in continuous payment of full
salary to all and sundry in the state civil service. “We shall
always be grateful to our governor having listening ears to our
yearning as we look forward for a crisis free tenure.”

Enugu

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has reiterated his administration’s
commitment to workers’ welfare, stressing that the determination
“has become even more fortified”. Speaking at this year’s Workers
Day celebration held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, Ugwuanyi
said his administration would continue to pay salaries and other
emoluments as when due.

The governor said the state government “will continue to provide
more conducive working conditions and to do all that is necessary
to ensure that industrial harmony continues to prevail in Enugu
State”. On the minimum wage, the governor assured the workers that
“despite the daunting economic challenges, we will, in concert with
the relevant agencies and departments of government, ensure that
these issues are comprehensively and satisfactorily addressed”.
Chairmen of TUC and NLC Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe and
Comrade Virginus Nwobodo hailed Ugwuanyi for his outstanding
commitment to workers’ welfare and the existing harmonious
relationship between labour and the government

Bayelsa

Governor Seriake Dickson told civil servants that the NIWC was
delaying the payment of the wage. Though the workers, who gathered
at the Peace Park, Onopa, Yenagoa, to celebrate the May Day raised
their voices in disagreements, Dickson said that the NIWC must work
out mo dalities for the implementation of the wage.

The governor noted that details of the modalities must be sent
to all the states including Bayelsa before implementation. Dickson,
however, assured workers that his administration had been at the
vanguard of agitation for the new wage saying he was ready to pay
the minimum wage. He said: “The government of Bayelsa state has
announced over and over that we are not against N30,000 minimum
wage in principle. We announced that severally at different times
and fora and let me also say so today.

Ekiti

Ekiti State will not lag behind in the implementation of the
minimum wage, Governor Kayode Fayemi said yesterday. Represented at
the Workers’ Day rally in Ado Ekiti by his deputy Chief Bisi
Egbeyemi, 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”.

He sought the workers’ cooperation with his administration to
deliver democracy dividends. He spoke of his administration’s
readiness to defray backlog of salary arrears, urging workers to be
more effective and efficient at service delivery. Earlier, NLC
Chairman Olatunde Kolapo urged the government to implement the
minimum wage. Kolapo said Governor Kayode Fayemi remained
workerfriendly for his penchant for placing premium on their
welfare. He solicited for increment in the subvention to Ekiti
State University, to enable the institution meet its objective in
providing functional and quality education.

“The university is in dire need of better funding to be able to
meet her needs as the internally generated revenue can no longer be
sufficient to cope with increase in wages,” Kolapo said. In the
same vein, the Trade Union Congress Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola
Adigun who hailed Fayemi for commitment to welfare of workers,
said: “It is gladdening to know that you are one of the very first
governors who conceded publicly to the implementation of the new
minimum wage. “Mr Governor, let me admonish you that the
implementation of the new minimum wage should also commence with
immediate effect as expressed by the Federal Government,” the TUC
boss said.

Kwara

Kwara state Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the yet-to-be
released template by the the NIWC was hampering his implementation
of the wage. Represented by the Head of Service, Mrs Modupe
Oluwole, at the Workers’ Day celebration in Ilorin, the governor
said the wage template was the basic working tool for determining
its implementation. The government, he said, had constituted a-13
man minimum wage reviewing committee to enable workers enjoy the
new salary as soon as implementation begins. Earlier, NLC and TUC
chairmen Alhaji Isa Ore and Kolawole Olumoh urged the government to
ensure full implementation of the wage.

Culled from Thenation

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