Minimum Wage: Okoroacha Gets Kudos For Implementation

Some residents of Nsukka in Enugu State have commended Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on his decision to pay civil servants N20,000 as minimum wage and urged other governors to emulate him.

Mr James Akubue, a secondary school teacher, in Nsukka last Thursday said that programmes and policies of Okorocha since he assumed office in May 29, was an indication of the governor’s mission to move the state to the next level.

“It’s a cheering news that when other governors are refusing to pay N18, 000 approved minimum wage, the governor decided to pay N20, 000. It is unfortunate that while some governors who have served first term and are in their second term could not pay N18, 000, Okorocha who is less than six months in office agreed to pay N20, 000. I urge other governors to emulate the good example of Imo governor,” he said.

A civil servant, Mrs Felicia Onah,said the decision to pay civil servants N20, 000 was commendable as well as a demonstration of a genuine commitment to improve the welfare of the workers.

“All governors are capable of paying the N18, 000 wage, only that they have no regard to the welfare of workers, the money some governors spend in one week on unnecessary things, are enough to pay the wage,’’ she said.

Onah urged civil servants in Imo to reciprocate the governor’s good gesture by being dedicated to their duties.

“Imo civil servants should ensure that they put in their best so as to increase productivity in the state. The governor has demonstrated that he is a civil service friendly and as such should be supported in all ramifications,’’ she added.

A commercial driver, Mr John Ejiogu, said that it was unfortunate that not only that some governors had refused to pay the wage but had gone further to press for the removal of fuel subsidy in order to increase the hardship on Nigerians.

“Some of these governors, who refused to pay the new wage, receive more money from the federal allocation than Okorocha.

“The minimum wage problem should teach Nigerians a lesson on who to vote as governor in 2015. As result of this excellent gesture to civil servants as well as other good works of the governor in Imo, I suggest Okorocha as governor of the year,” he said.