The Kogi State government has approved the sum of N72,500.00 as the minimum wage for state civil servants and local government workers.
The State Governor, Usman Ododo, disclosed this while receiving the report of the State Minimum Wage Committee, which was set up by the government to look into the implementation of the new minimum wage for workers, at the banquet hall of the Government House in Lokoja on Monday.
He also stated that consequential adjustments would be made to affect all categories of workers in the state, emphasizing that this move is in fulfillment of the promises made to serve the people.
He further announced a tax relief for all civil servants in the state for one year, a pronouncement that was met with loud applause.
“After looking at all indices, we have discussed and agreed jointly, and I have graciously approved the sum of N72,500 as the minimum wage for all categories of workers,” Ododo stated.
The Governor urged civil servants to rededicate themselves to the present administration’s agenda for the overall transformation of the state.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Kogi State Minimum Wage Committee and the Head of Service, Mr. Elijah Abenemi, explained that the state government had set up the committee on September 17th, 2024, with the terms of reference to determine the modalities for implementing the new minimum wage in the state.
Abenemi pointed out that the committee engaged in dialogue with unwavering commitment to secure the best outcome for Kogi civil servants.
He noted that the assignment was a herculean task, and the committee had presented four options, from which the governor graciously selected and approved the first option.
The Chairman commended Governor Usman Ododo for his magnanimity in approving the N72,500 new minimum wage.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Gabriel Amari, expressed gratitude to Governor Ododo, stressing that, like Oliver Twist, the labour union would always ask for more.
Amari appealed to the Governor to look into various outstanding allowances, such as promotion arrears and leave bonuses.