MINIMUM WAGE: GOV. ENO, ANOTHER NAME FOR INTEGRITY
…As Akwa Ibom workers get set for jumbo pay
After months of debates and backstabbing, threats of strikes and protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), on the issue of what should be the minimum wage in Nigeria as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy and its resultant effect on the poor masses, due to abnormal increase in prices of goods and other essential commodities such as fuel in particular, the Federal Government finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to pay the sum of Seventy Thousand Naira (#70,000) as minimum wage to the Nigerian workers on 21st September, 2024.
It was the turn of different State Governors to decide what they will pay to their respective State civil servants as minimum wage, while Lagos and Rivers State Government agreed to pay #85,000 as minimum wage, Cross River State Government decided on #70,000, Delta State, #77,500, Ondo State pegged #73,000 as minimum wage for their workers in State’s civil service. All other States in the Nigerian Federation also followed suit by deciding what is best for their workers as minimum wage.
On 23rd October, 2024, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State announced the payment of #80,000 as minimum wage to workers in the Akwa Ibom State civil service, one of the highest in the Country. There was a wild jubilation across the State, specifically coming from the civil servants and their dependants. Then came the issue of implementation. The Akwa Ibom State chapter of Labour Union wanted the implementation as soon as possible days after Governor Eno made the pronouncement. Of course, trust Labour, they had to follow up with threat of strike action should the State Government fails to come up with a favourable implementation date to kick-start the payment of minimum wage. They however forgot that the State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, did not only approved the payment of #80,000 as minimum wage, but also set up a formidable committee, headed by the head of civil service in the State, to work out the modalities for the implementation of the new salary structure and also carry out the verification of civil servants in the State to determine the actual number of workers in the State Government employ.
That being established, the threat from labour leaders and compatriots in the State for strike and all that meant so little to the State Government as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, a man of peace had said that he will start the payment of minimum wage the moment verification of civil servants in the State is completed. People who knows Governor Eno, can attest to the fact that he is an unrepentant promise keeper. Accordingly, as the verification was concluded, it was revealed on Tuesday 14th January, 2025 that over 2000 ghost workers were receiving salaries from the State Government right from their graves, a clear case of “Monkey dey work, Baboon dey chop”. Everyone in the State suddenly came to the realisation that the Governor was right after all. Imagine the huge amount of money that the State Government were loosing to the ghost workers as it were.
Monday, 20th January, 2025, the head of Civil Service in Akwa Ibom State, Elder Effiong Essien and his team presented an official report on the conclusion of the verification exercise for civil servants and modalities of the new payment structure to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in the Government House. This follows the directives from the State Governor having mentioned on Sunday 19th January, 2025, that he will commence the payment of the minimum wage from January 2025, with the payment of arrears from November 2024, during the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Thanksgiving service at The Apostolic church, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, of which the Governor was the host as requested by the NUJ months ago.
Governor Umo Eno is no doubt a man of integrity. You can take his words to the bank. During the campaign, the Governor then as a candidate harps on payment of Gratuities should he is voted in as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State. Today, in about 20 Months in office, over 47 Billion Naira has been disbursed for the payment of Gratuities in the State from the inherited sum of about 93 Billion Naira he met on ground as backlog of Gratuities. There is really no need to doubt the Governor on his promises. Governor Umo Eno is a promise keeper.
To this end, come January 2025 ending, workers in Akwa Ibom State shall be smiling home with their jumbo pay, as their salaries shall be paid with two months arrears. The State’s economy is expected to be stimulated and workers elated, as accumulated bills shall be cleared with ease. The Governor has done it again. Akwa Ibomites, let us rise up and support the performing Governor and award winning Governor of the year.
Pst. Solomon Essiet (ACIA)
Writing from Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, the Raffia City
