RSG Approves N18,900 New Minimum Wage

Rivers State Government took a historic step on Monday as it finally endorsed the new minimum wage into law with a promise to commence payment from October this year.

This is coming seven months after the wage was signed into law by President Goodluck Jonathan in April this year.

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr George Feyii represented Governor Chibuike Amaechi at the ceremony which witnessed the presence of labour chiefs in the state, including the Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council(JNC), Comrade Emecheta Chuku who signed on behalf of labour.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr Feyii said that the development was a result of dialogue with labour as he hinted that payment of arrears would commence from April  and end in September, stretching it instalmentally within six months, and urged workers to show more dedication to duty and improve their productivity.

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government further pledged the resolve of the Amaechi administration to maintain a harmonious relationship with labour at all times.

In the same vein, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) in the state, Chief Chris Oruge described the agreement as a dream come true to labour. He stated that the exercise was the outcome of intense negotiations and dialogue between labour and government in the past six months.

Chief Oruge noted,” time has passed when we bang on the table, the latest method of agreement with government is through dialogue and that is what has been done today, we have done it before and we will continue to do it”.

A similar view was expressed by Chairman of Trade Union Congress(TUC),Comrade Chika Onuegbu who remarked that the development would put smiles on the faces of workers in the state.

Comrade Onuegbu thanked workers in the state for being patient while the negotiation was going on, charging them to reciprocate by raising their productivity and being committed to work.

Also, the Head of Service, Mrs Esther Anucha enjoined workers in the state to appreciate government’s kind gesture by taking their jobs  seriously while commending them for their patience and cooperation throughout the period.

Consequently, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside expressed assurance that the existing harmonious relationship between government and labour would be enhanced with the new wage law.

He disclosed that his office would liaise with the office of the Accountant-General of the State to commence the process of payroll for workers as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Sir Ngo Martyns -Yellowe and his counterpart in the Local Government Service Commission, Chief Azubuike Nmerukini have commended the Rivers State Government for signing the new minimum wage into law, stressing that it will boost workers’ morale and set a pace for other states.

Commenting on the development in an opinion poll conducted by The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt, Sir Martyns-Yellowe  congratulated Governor Amaechi for his courage and boldness in ensuring that the state civil servants benefit from the largesse.

He was of the view that the wage was coming at a critical time, saying, “with the approval, it will help workers and boost their morale”.

The Civil Service Commission chairman described the government’s gesture as a welcome development,” stressing that, as Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Governor Amaechi had challenged others to do same”.

He, therefore, called on the state civil servants to reciprocate the gesture by raising their productivity and be more dedicated to duty.

Similarly, Chief Nmerukini said the signing of the wage into law in the state would cushion the pains of workers in the state.

He described the State Government’s gesture as commendable.

The Chairman of the Local Government Commission expressed hope that the wage would also be paid by the local governments”, I believe local government workers will also enjoy the new wage even though there will be a delay”, he said.

He continued,” I foresee some bottle necks in the implementation due to dearth of funds”.

Chief Nmerukini therefore urged local government workers to exercise patience, adding that,” first and foremost, they should be thankful and be patient while the implementation of the new wage is being carried out”.

Other civil servants who spoke on the matter lauded the State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi for responding to the plight of workers.

Director of Tourism in the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Sokari Davies stressed that the Governor had endeared himself to workers.

While acknowledging that the wage would improve the welfare of workers, she urged civil servants to save for the rainy day, they should use this money for something better”, as she also urged the government to check inflation.

President Rotary Club of Port Harcourt 2011/2012 District 9140, Rtn Dominic Okafor (left) presenting Rotary Club Meritorious Award to Mr Celestine Ogolo, General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in Port Harcourt, last Monday. Photo; Chris Monyanaga