Workers in the Rivers State government civil service, on Wednesday, commended the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara for implementing the N85,000 minimum wage he promised.
On announcement of the new minimum wage for the workers, Governor Fubara had assured that implementation will commence from November salary.
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in July this year approved N70,000 minimum wage nationally, following pressures by the Nigeria Labour Union as a way to tackle the current economic challenges in the country.
Considering the impact of the civil servants in Rivers State, Governor Fubara announced N85,000 as the new minimum wage for the state workers with assurance that the State will pay it through its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Governor Fubara, who had also disclosed that the state had not focused on borrowing funds for the ongoing developmental strides in the State, had announced an increase of the State IGR from N11 billion by the previous administration to N27 billion under his administration.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Nigeria Civil service Union, Rivers State chapter, Chukwuma Osunna, has confirmed the payment of the new salary structure in an interview.
He said, “The Governor has fulfilled his promise. As at today , November 27, 2024, I can confirm that he has paid the N85,000 new minimum wage to workers and the workers are happy.
“We met under the joint council, sat with the Head of Service, saw the salary chart and confirmed that the N85,000 is well calculated and implemented in the November salary of workers, so, payment started today and by tomorrow, other banks will start to pay too.
The State Chairman of the Nigerian Civil service Union, promised that they are ready to sacrifice anything for the current administration.
Some workers in the State in an interview expressed joy on the new wage implementation saying, such will boost their morale to work