Governor Usman Ododo has approved the sum of ₦72,500 as minimum wage for workers in Kogi state with immediate effect.
Ododo who gave the approval after receiving report from the Kogi state minimum wage implementation committee headed by the state Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi, in Lokoja on Monday.
The governor also gave tax relief to all the workers in the state for the next one year, adding that no pay-as-you–earn (PAYE) tax nor any form of deductions will be made within the next one year.
Ododo noted that after deliberation from the sides of the organized labour unions and government, the committee was able to arrive with a position that will not affected workers and the state.
The governor said having been a labour leader and a civil servant before going into partisan politics he knew what the civil servants were passing through and that now that God has made him the governor, he would do all within the state resources to provide succour for the state work force.
”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
“My government will continue to prioritize the welfare of workers and the people of the state. Rededicate yourself towards the development of our dear state
”I am not bigger than any of you here, you only made the governor to serve you,” he said.
He urged all the labour leaders to continue to lead with sincerity to enable the state and the union to work in harmony.
Governor Ododo commended President Ahmed Bola Tinunu for approving minimum wage for federal worker’s adding that they in the state will continue to follow footstep of the president.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Gabriel Amari who spoke on behalf of the organized labour in the state, commended the governor for all his efforts and described Ododo as the best workers’ friendly governor the state has ever had.
The NLC chairman who expressed surprise with the seamless efforts at which the implementation committee arrived at the new minimum wage said some states in the federation were yet to set an implementation committee while Kogi state which set up it’s committee on September 17, in less than one month has come out with a minimum wage that gives joy to the workers.
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 good plans for the state.
