The Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has promised to implement the N30,000 minimum wage recently approved by President Muhammdu Buhari.
Speaking on Wednesday in Uyo during the Workers Day rally, Emmanuel said he was the first governor to set up a committee in that regard, and advised the committee to carry out the necessary documentation needed to facilitate the process.
He said he was passionately committed to the welfare of workers in the state, adding that he would always listen to their complaints for a better Akwa Ibom state.
He discredited the Third quarter report by the National Bureau of Statistics that Akwa Ibom State has one of the highest unemployment rate in the country, noting that the report cannot be true because of government’s investment in education, and industrialization.
“Having been the first governor in this country to set up a committee to review and advise on the implementation of the minimum wage that has just been signed into law. I want to assure you that the Akwa Ibom State government will implement the new minimum wage bill which was recently signed into law by the President, after you have done all your own side of the necessary documentation.”
“Please ensure you document properly because the problem has always been the documentation. Document properly, the ball is now in your court”, he added.
“We remain passionately committed to the welfare of all our workers to the full extent of our resources available. I promise to always keep a listening ear to your issues and concerns, and together, the peace we have enjoyed all round will continue to flourish in our state. Akwa Abasi Ibom State is raising and together with organised labour, it is forward ever, backward never,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunny James, said he was certain the Akwa Ibom state workers would be on the front line of employees to enjoy the new minimum wage.
He called on the committee on minimum wage to conclude its assignment on time so as to prevent the accumulation of arrears.The NLC Chairperson appealed to the governor to implement the budgetary approvals with respect to promotion arrears, pensions, gratuities and death benefits of workers, especially non-core civil service retirees and retirees in the Unified Local Government System.
He commended the state governor for the regular payment of workers salary and efforts made with respect to the 7.5 per cent contributory pension refunds, and urged that the matter be brought to a conclusive end.
The theme of the Worker’s Day celebration is “Another 100 years of struggle for Jobs, Dignity and Social Justice”.
