Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah has approved the sum of N80,000 as the new minimum wage for Enugu workers, including State, teachers and Local Government workers) above the national minimum wage, to take effect from October, 2024.
He announced that on Thursday in Government House ,after a meeting with the Enugu State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee headed by the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu and labour leaders, including the state’s labour leaders.
Announcing the new minimum wage which included the Local Government workers, Governor Mbah said, “Few weeks ago, I inaugurated a committee with the responsibility to oversee the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage in Enugu State
“Today, I’m happy to announce a new minimum wage for workers in Enugu state, reflecting our fidelity to their welfare in regard of which we’ve been resolutely committed.
“We’ve approved the sum of 80,000 Naira to take immediate effect as the new minimum wage in Enugu State. This underscores our commitment to bequeathing lasting legacies of improved living conditions, ” he said.
Governor Mbah said the new wage underscores his administration’s fidelity to workers’ welfare, explaining that the move is hinged on his administration’s believe that the labour is a creator of wealth and if well taken care of, will grow wealth for the state.
He added that the gesture was in line with his administration’s belief that a motivated workforce has a link to the zero poverty headcount index policy of his government as well as his administration’s vision of growing the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn
“Our commitment to improved workers’ welfare runs deep, and is rooted in the firm understanding of the inextricable link between an inspired workforce and the audacious economic targets we had set our sights on.
“We clearly understood that reducing poverty to the barest minimum and achieving an unprecedented economic growth target were contingent on the output of the workforce. Therefore, for us, the best way to acknowledge that labour creates wealth is by ensuring that the workforce, which creates the wealth that oils the wheel of government, is sufficiently motivated.
“We have similarly demonstrated our commitment to workers welfare through the consistent payment of the wage awards, a gesture we had pledged to sustain until a new wage structure took effect”, he said
Governor Mbah said the minimum wage was extended to the Local Government workers. He urged workers to be more committed in their duties and be more productive so as to grow the economy of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the state workers, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Fabian Nwigbo thanked Governor Mbah for his kind gesture. Nwigbo who was overwhelmed with joy, said such gesture was not seen only in Enugu State , where the state’s minimum wage is above the approved N70,000 national minimum wage. He also marvelled at the gestures, given that Enugu State is not an oil-producing state drawing from the 13% derivatives.
He thanked Governor Mbah for his continued payment of N25,000 wage award to workers for over 10 months while awaiting the harmonization of the new minimum wage.
The NLC state chairman described Governor Mbah as the most worker- friendly Governor ever ruled the state, who matches his words with action, prioritising the welfare of workers. He described the new minimum wage as “a great one for Enugu workers.”
“In the past, when minimum wage is announced, it takes up to one or two years for anything to happen; and when it did, we took anything they gave us as we saw it. But today, you have even given us something much higher than national minimum wage.
“But I am not totally surprised because when other governors were paying N12,000 wage award, you were paying us N25,000. When others paid for some months and stopped, you continued paying it until the new minium wage as you promised. So, we have enjoyed wage award for 11 months and today you announced the minimum wage which is the first of its kind since my 32 years in service,” Comrade Nwigbo said.
He promised the Governor that the workers will not take the gesture for granted but will increase their productivity and support in and commitment in growing the economy of Enugu state.
In an interview, Enugu State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ben Asogwa, thanked Governor Mbah for the approving the new minimum wage.
“This is the first time in history we are seeing the implementation of minimum wage above the approved amount by the federal government. Actually, when we entered into the negotiation, we were afraid because we know quite well that we are not among the states that share in dividends of oil money. We know quite well that we are at the back when it comes to federal allocation, but His Excellency actually surprised us.
“One thing we have seen is that he understands the impact of motivation on productivity. The governor has set a pace and we know that any other person coming after him will have the challenge to meet up with the target set by His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah.”
He said the gesture meant workers who retired in October will benefit .” We are going to improve in our jobs. We believe so well that we will see extra minimum wage”, Asogwa said.
On his part, the State chairman of ALGON , and the Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Hon Okechukwu Edeh also confirms that the new minimum wage will cascade to the 17 local governments in the state.
“When you motivate workers, they become more productive. What I am promising on behalf of the Enugu ALGON family is that we are going to cascade the new minimum wage to the local government level. Implementation begins immediately,” he said.
Enugu workers who spoke to Newsline Global,expressed gratitude to Governor Mbah. They prayed God to bless the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, promising to pay back the good gesture , being more productive
Author: Maureen Ikpeama