The Edo State Government on Sunday said it has started paying the N70,000 new minimum wage it promised the workers in the State.
The State government said the move is in fulfillment of the promise to increase the minimum wage from the month of May, 2024 made to the workers by the State governor Godwin Obaseki.
It will be recall that Obaseeki had during the commissioning of the Labour House in Benin City announced the increase of the minimum wage for workers in the State from N40,000 to N70,000, to reflect the current economic realities of the country, and cushion the impacts of the harsh economy on the people of the State.
In the statement, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to the workers, further demonstrates the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to the welfare of Edo workers.
According to him, “The Edo State Government has paid the May salaries of workers in the State, reflecting the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage.
“This is in fulfilment of the promise made by Governor Godwin Obaseki to increase the minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000 beginning this May, as part of efforts to cushion the impacts of the harsh economy occasioned by fuels subsidy removal and other economic decisions by the Federal Government.
“It is also in furtherance of the commitment of the State Government to meet its statutory obligation even before the end of the month,” he added.
The commissioner urged workers to be committed to their duties, while contributing effectively to ensuring the governor finishes strong, to reciprocate the gesture by the state government to their welfare.
Confirming the development, the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Odion Olaye called on the federal government and other states governments of other states to emulate what the Edo State government has done.
“The Edo State government has paid the new minimum wage of N70,000 and for me as the state chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) I say glory be to God and kudos to Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki the governor of Edo state and I congratulate all Edo State workers.
“My advice to the federal government and other states is to emulate the Edo state government on what we are doing here;
“…what Edo state government is doing here is worthy of emulation so that the dividends of democracy will get to as many people as possible, because these civil servants have their family members and dependants.”
