The governro of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has approved a minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants in the state.
The Head of Service of the state, George Nwaeke made this known on Friday, October 18, 2024.
According to him, Fubara made the approval during a closed-door meeting with labour leaders and senior government officials.
Nwaeke confirmed that the implementation of the new minimum wage will take effect immediately.
On their part, the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Team, Chukwu Emecheta praised Governor Fubara for meeting the expectations of Rivers State workers.
He expressed appreciation for the Governor’s commitment to the workforce.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Alex Agwanwor, noted that the minimum wage will greatly alleviate the economic hardships faced by workers in the state.
This comes days after Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also announced N85,000 as the new minimum wage for workers.
The governor announced the new minimum wage on Channels Television’s evening programme, “Politics Today”.
He said: “I am glad to let you know that the minimum wage for Lagos, which we conversed and discussed with our union is N85,000 today.
“It is not a competition. So, I am not going to say we are paying more than some other people. It is a function of affordability and it is a function of capacity. But we know too well that when people live in Lagos, Lagos has a premium in terms of even the cost of living. We are fully aware.”
The governor recalled that earlier in the year, the state had increased the salary of workers, saying it was his wish to make the minimum wage of N100,000 from next year.
“We actually increased salaries earlier in the year and deserving so for our workers and we will continue to do that.
“I would like to come back to you in January to say I have been able to increase the minimum wage of Lagos to N100,000 not because I want to make anybody look bad; it is really because I want my people to have a living wage, I want them to really be able to know that government is working for them,” he said.