From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has approved the immediate implementation of 30,000 minimum wage for the State workforce with partial consequential adjustment.
The Secretary to the State Government, Folashade Arike Ayoade announced this after an extensive meeting with the Organised Labour held in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Mrs Ayoade said the delay in the implementation was due to the inability of the Committee to meet regularly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She commended the Organized Labour for thier understanding and patience so far which has resulted into the signing of the implementation of the new minimum wage.
In a remark, the Kogi Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja expressed appreciation to the Organized Labour for thier understanding and commitment at reaching the agreement amicably without resorting to Strike action.
Chief Onoja said Governor Yahaya Bello is passionate about the welfare of civil servants and would continue to give priority attention to it’s workforce.
The Head of the State Civil Service, Hannah Odiyo said with the singing of the agreement on the new national minimum wage, the committee has completed it’s work peacefully without recourse to strike action.
Speaking after signing the agreement of implementation of the new national minimum wage, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Onuh Edoka said Kogi State civil servants have been brought to the same level with thier counterparts in other States already implementing the new minimum wage.
According to him, the earlier notice of strike served on the State Government has been suspended with immediate effect.
Comrade Edoka commended the State Government for signing the agreement with the mandate of immediate implementation to give civil servants in the State a new lease of life.
He assured of civil servants commitment to effective productivity of the present administration in all sectors of the economy.
Present at the signing of the agreement was the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ranti Ojo, State Chairman NUJ, Comrade Adeiza Momoh-jimoh, Chairman, NULGE, Tade Adeyemi among others.
The agreement covers the State workforce as well as the Local Government.
End.