Twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have but to arrange committees to implement the not too long ago accredited N70,000 minimal wage.
The states are Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Cross River and Yobe.
Nevertheless, seven different states — Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia — have arrange implementation committees. Solely Lagos and Edo claimed to have began paying the minimal wage.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the brand new minimal wage into regulation on July 29, 2024, after assembly with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Commerce Union Congress of Nigeria.
Lagos, Edo
Talking with our correspondent on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Info and Technique, Gbenga Omotoso, stated the state had been paying greater than the minimal wage earlier than it was handed into regulation.
He stated, “Whenever you have a look at the minimal wage that was paid in Lagos earlier than, the least state employee earned about N77,000. So, in the event that they stated the minimal wage is now N70,000, we have now no downside with it in any respect as a result of Lagos has been paying greater than that, and we are going to proceed to pay.”
The Edo State Authorities additionally stated it had began paying the minimal wage.
Kwara, Kano, others arrange committees
On August 1, 2024, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who additionally doubles because the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Discussion board, arrange an 18-member tripartite committee to work out modalities for the brand new minimal wage cost.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated the committee, comprising representatives from the state authorities, labour unions, and the Organised Personal Sector, had began assembly.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano additionally arrange an advisory committee on the brand new minimal wage, whereas the Jigawa State Authorities arrange a 10-man minimal wage committee on Thursday, August 8.
Equally, the Borno State Authorities not too long ago inaugurated a 22-member panel, whereas the Ondo State authorities stated its committee on the brand new minimal wage was working exhausting to make sure its implementation.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Info, Dotun Oyelade, additionally stated the state arrange a committee a couple of months in the past to advise the federal government on the matter.
He stated, “Oyo State authorities arrange a committee a couple of months in the past, comprising labour stakeholders and authorities officers, to advise on the implementation of the minimal wage.”
The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Friday, stated the state arrange a committee earlier than the Federal Authorities signed the invoice into regulation.
“We’re making provisions for the wage improve consistent with the brand new minimal wage,” he added.
We are able to’t pay – Gombe, Kogi
Nevertheless, the Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Discussion board, Inuwa Yahaya, stated the lean allocation to the state would make it tough for him to pay the brand new wage.
Talking on Tuesday throughout a gathering with stakeholders on the nationwide protest, ‘#EndBadGovernance, Yahaya stated, “I can’t pay the N70,000 minimal wage, and I think many different states are in the identical predicament.”
Equally, the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Ashiwaju Ashiru Idris, stated no date had been mounted for the implementation of the minimal wage by the state.
Responding to our correspondent’s inquiry, the commissioner stated he had no details about when the state would start cost.
We’ll negotiate – Plateau, Kebbi
Plateau State Commissioner for Info, Musa Ashoms, nevertheless, stated the federal government would make its place identified on the matter after negotiating with organised labour.
The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, additionally stated his administration was able to have a fruitful dialogue with the state union chief on the brand new minimal wage.
His Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, whereas talking with one in every of our correspondents on the phone, stated, “By the grace of God, our governor will sit with the labour union and are available out with modalities to make sure that he places a smile on the faces of the civil servants.”
Throughout a latest city corridor assembly on the nationwide protest, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, additionally promised to pay the brand new minimal wage.
He stated, “On our half, I need to guarantee you that the Sokoto State Authorities is able to implement the brand new Nationwide minimal wage as accredited by Mr. President. Undoubtedly, our nation is dealing with fairly various challenges that embody financial downturn, inflation, value of dwelling, in addition to insecurity, amongst different challenges.”
Talking with our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, the Senior Particular Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, defined that the state authorities had rolled out plans to start the cost.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State governor, Daniel Alabrah, additionally informed our correspondent on Thursday in Yenagoa that Governor Douye Diri had earlier within the yr, through the Employees’ Day celebrations, declared that the state would pay any quantity agreed upon by the Federal Authorities and labour.
However he identified that the state authorities might not pay any arrears as a result of the brand new minimal wage invoice was solely not too long ago signed into regulation by the president.
We’ll arrange committee quickly – Osun, Delta, Benue
Talking with Sunday PUNCH, the spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, Rasheed Olawale, stated a committee for the implementation of the minimal wage can be arrange subsequent week.
He stated, “Mr Governor has prior to now stated Osun pays the minimal wage as he’s dedicated to the welfare of the employees and the individuals usually. A committee on the implementation of the minimal wage might be arrange subsequent week. We’re dedicated to it.”
The Delta State Authorities additionally stated it will arrange a committee for the brand new minimal wage.
The state Commissioner for Info, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, said this in an interview with one in every of our correspondents on Saturday.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue additionally stated that his administration would pay the brand new minimal wage, and block each leakage to make sure its easy implementation.
- Further reviews: Chima Azubuike, Gbenga Odogun, Matthew Ochei, Tunde Oyekola, John Charles, Samuel Eze, Tukur Muntari, James Abraham, Animasahun Collins Agwan, Abiodun Nejo, Raphael Ede, and Maiharaji Altine, and Daniel Ayantoye.