President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has told state governors on Monday to start paying their workers the minimum wage.
During the inauguration of Governor Umaru Bago’s agricultural programme in Minna, Tinubu challenged the governors to collaborate with the Federal Government and alleviate the economic reform pains by paying the wage award to workers.
He cited that paying the wage award will provide relief to a cross-section of Nigerians.
While some states have been paying wage awards ranging between N10,000 and N25,000, a majority of states are not paying, despite the huge increase in the inflows to states from the federation account following the termination of petrol subsidy.
He said:
“Let all the states start paying the wage awards.
“Whatever they are taking now plus the wage award would relieve the public.
“I am appealing to you states, start paying the wage award, let everyone start paying it. It will bring relief to the people.”
Tinubu also spoke about some of his cardinal programmes, such as the student loan, which will be inaugurated on Thursday and the social security programme for the elderly and vulnerable.
He said:
“The student loan programme will commence.
“There will be unemployment benefits for our graduates.
“The social security programme for the elderly and vulnerable will commence.
“We are fine-tuning all these areas. We will relieve people of hunger.”
Furthermore, he revealed plans to address violent attacks and cattle rustling by providing a comprehensive programme that will solve the problem.
He said:
“Give me two to three weeks.
“You will be part of the inauguration of the livestock change in Nigeria.
“I know what it means as an economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops and vegetation of our lands.
“It can be painful but when we re-orientate the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, you will see the difference.
“The governors should provide the lands and as the President, I am committed to giving you a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem.”
Leave a comment