I’ll implement new minimum wage, Akwa Ibom gov tells workers

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, has assured workers of the full implementation of the proposed new minimum wage for workers in the state.

Emmanuel gave the assurance when he consulted the organised labour unions comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC and the United Labour Congress, ULC, on his second term ambition.

Speaking at the event in Uyo, the state capital, the governor said the planned legislation by the federal government for an Act of national assembly on the minimum wage, had not yet been achieved.

He said Akwa Ibom was also waiting for the direction of the FG in the implementation of the new wage.

“Minimum wage has never been an issue here, it is only that it has to be under what is called a legislation and when something is a legislation, it is not only a state, it’s a whole country,” he said.

“So, we are waiting for the direction of the country, once they give us a direction, then we’ll know what to do.”

He said his administration is committed to ensuring improved welfare for the state workforce, explaining that the state government considers it a priority for workers salaries to be paid and as when due.

“In the face of circumstances and what we face in this country, we have done everything sincerely and humanly possible to make sure that our workers do not suffer,” he said.

“Eighty percent of the circumstances that I pay salaries in this state, I do so under a situation where I have not received any kobo as statutory allocation.”

Emmanuel acknowledged that labour is key to any kind of development, indicating that human capacity is an investment rather than expense and maintained that his administration is focused on building an economy for stronger labour development.

He commended the Labour leadership and workers for a peaceful and harmonious industrial relationship with the state government, noting that “it is not every state that Labour can stay like this with the governor” and urged them to maintain their peaceful disposition at all times.