We’re ready to pay new minimum wage, says Okowa – TheNigerialawyer

* Urges the Church to raise more change agents

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has reiterated his
administration’s readiness to pay the new N30,000 minimum wage once
the Federal Government and organised labour finalise
negotiations.He urged the organised labour to always disseminate
appropriate information to the workers for industrial harmony in
the polity.

Okowa stated this in Asaba yesterday when the new executive
council members of Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state visited
him. The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr.
Olisa Ifeajika, told the labour leaders that if they worked hard
and made their mark, the people would recognise and appreciate
them.

He expressed the belief that for the society to progress, there
should be peace in the work place.“There has to be a lot of
partnership between government and workers; when the partnership is
real, the people will enjoy the benefits of government. So,
organised labour should disseminate necessary information to
workers to boost the partnership between workers and
government.

“We need to re-assure Deltans and the working class that we will
do our best to uplift the standard of living and ensure development
in the state,” Okowa said.The chairman of TUC in the state, Martins
Bolum, thanked the governor for his numerous achievements, and
pledged that trade unions would help in enlightening workers on
government’s activities.

In another development, the governor has urged the church to
engage more in soul-winning programmes, as true Christians will
become change agents in the society.He stated this yesterday in
Asaba when the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, Apostle
Johnson Suleiman, visited him.

The governor said that the world was witnessing challenges,
hence the need for more religious crusades to win souls that would
contribute to national rebirth.“The global challenges have impacted
on us as a nation and it calls for prayers; the church should
continue to pray for our nation and keep hope alive.

“We must continue to intercede for our country, as God will make
things better for us. We are happy that the prayers said at
crusades not only win souls but also touch our land spiritually and
positively. This soul-winning will help in the development of our
society, because the people who are converted will become agents of
change.”Earlier, the cleric had said that he was in Asaba for a
crusade and thanked the governor for the enabling environment,
which made it possible for such activities to take place.He
described the governor as a “Godly man” who provided positive
leadership in the state.