March 11, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has appealed to state governors to adopt and implement payment of wage awards to their workers, pending the determination of the new minimum wage.
Speaking on Monday, during the commissioning of projects in Minna, Niger State capital, President Tinubu said if the wage awards are paid, it would go a long way in cushioning the economic hardship on workers, pending the commencement of a new minimum wage.
“If all of you, the sub-nationals, have been paying the wages award, pending the determination of the new salary wage. Let all the states start paying the wages award. Whatever they are taking now plus the wage award would relieve the public.
“Please, I am not giving an order, I am appealing to you states, start paying the wages awards, let everyone start paying it. It is a relief to the people. The mechanism is the fact that it won’t be inflationary if we announce the new salary wage in a few weeks or months, they would have gotten used to the basic wages of N30,000 plus the wages award, and it will have a dampening effect on the market. Please get sub-nationals together and NEC should adopt this,” he said.
The President applauded the determination of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, in ensuring agricultural revolution for food security, including efforts being put in place for Niger State to be one of the top food producers in the country while pledging his support to the state government.
“We have seen the level of commitment here from the state level, we have seen leadership and the success story of any leader is the ability to do what they ought to do at the time they ought to do it. You are doing the job, you are walking the talk and I must support you.
“Whatever support you need, you will get. We appreciate your efforts in the infrastructure development of the state, and I guarantee you the federal support. We flag off the hope, you deliver the hope and you reassure Nigerians,” he said.
To this end, the President outlined plans for a comprehensive programme to address the challenges of violent attacks, cattle rustling, and other security-related issues.
“Give me two to three weeks. You will be part of the inauguration of the livestock change in Nigeria. I know what it means to economic sabotage for roaming cows to eat up the crops and vegetation of our lands. It could be painful but when we reorient the herders and make provision for cattle rearing, (the problem will be solved).
“The Governors should provide the lands and as the President, I am committed to giving you a comprehensive programme that will solve this problem,” he added.
