Determined to improve the living conditions of workers, Governor, Usman Ododo of Kogi State has approved #72,500 as the minimum wage for civil servants in the state. The amount is N2,500 higher than the national minimum wage as approved by the federal government.
The approval, which was given at an elaborate ceremony attended by the state minimum wage implementation committee headed by Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi, in the government house, Lokoja, this Monday, takes immediate effect.
The governor also gave tax relief to all the workers in the state for the next one year adding that no any Pay- as – you – earn ( PAYE) tax nor any form of deductions will be made within the next one year.
In his words: ” I can not forget where I came from, I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God and will therefore not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people
” You people generously elected me as your governor and the resources of the state belong to you all, I am just your chief servant and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably.
” All you have seen today is the painstaking efforts of the labour leaders and government who conducted staff audit screenings in the previous administration all in a bid to ensure that the right people take what belong to them as workers and not ghost workers ” he added
Ododo then called on the workers to continue to cooperate with his administration and give him all the necessary support to succeed assuring them of prompt payment of their salaries.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Gabriel Amari who spoke on behalf of the organized labour commended the governor for all his efforts and described Ododo as the best workers’ friendly governor the state has ever had.
He promised on behalf of the workers to be more committed to their duties to continue to cooperate with the governor to carry out his plans for the state.
