We ‘ll Pay N18,000 Minimum Wage, Say S’East Govs

Governors of the South East states have collectively resolved to pay the new N18,000 new  minimum wage to workers in the zone as prescribed by law, even as the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) expressed displeasure over the Nigeria Governors Forum to tie the implementation to increase in federal allocation.

Making this known in a communiqué issued at the end of a one-day closed door  meeting of the South-East political leaders in Enugu, yesterday, on matters affecting the zone and Nigeria, the governors made it clear that the payment had become necessary in order to encourage the workers to work harder and contribute their quota to the development of the entire zone.

The governors, however,  also used the forum to join the clamour for the review of revenue sharing formula so as to help the states pay the new minimum wage without difficulties.

According to the Igbo governors, “we have resolved to work together irrespective of our political differences for the interest of the zone and Nigeria”.

Thanking President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the appointment of Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, as the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the governors also went further to pledge their continued support to President Jonathan and the Federal Government.

While promising to meet regularly to discuss issues  affecting the zone and Nigeria, the South East political leaders equally congratulated  ”our dear brothers Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who were elected the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively”.

They also used the forum to wish the Ex-Biafran war lord Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu quick recovery.

All the governors were present at the meeting, including the new governor of Imo state , Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim, the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Ambassador Raph Nwuche among others.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has expressed displeasure over the decision by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to tie the implementation of the new minimum wage to review of allocation formula by the federal government.

Chairman of the TUC in Rivers State, Comrade Chika Onuegbu in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt said the stance of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum was a breach of their electioneering campaign promises.

Comrade Onuegbu urged the governors not to stampede the nation by their position as their request was unfounded and a show of high handedness.

The Rivers State TUC boss reminded government at all levels that Nigerian workers were expecting the implementation of the new minimum wage with full arrears.

Earlier this year, President Goodluck Jonathan had promised to pay the new N18,000 minimum wage, after which he sent the bill to the National Assembly. President Jonathan signed the new minimum wage bill into law a month ago.

Consequently, the Federal Government has disclosed plans to commence payment of the N18,000 minimum wage at the end of this month.

Kevin Nengia

Audience listening to a 12-year old Nigerian girl, Ebubechukwu Taylor, addressing World Leaders at the launch of a global plan for the elimination of new infections among children and keeping their mothers alive at the UN Headquarters in New York.