By Uche Amunike
Governor Usman Ododo has approved the sum of N72,500 as Kogi State Minimum Wage for civil servants in the state and has also given tax relief to every worker in the state for the next one year, stating that no Pay-as-You-Earn tax or any form of deductions would be made within the next one year, with immediate effect.
He gave this approval after the Kogi State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, which was headed by the state Head Of Service, Elijah Avenemi, presented the report to him, Monday, in Lokoja.
According to him, after deliberating with the organized labor unions and the federal government, the state Minimum Wage Implementation Committee was able to reach a decision that would not affect workers and the state.
He also said that because he had been a labor leader and also a civil servant before venturing into partisan politics, he understood what civil servants were passing through and averred that because God has now made him the governor, he would do everything within the resources of the state to provide relief for the state work force.
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.’
‘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 tasked all the labor leaders to continuously lead with sincerity, so as to make the state and the union work together as a team.
He lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the minimum wage for federal workers, adding that state workers will continue to follow the footsteps of the president.
Before then, the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Gabriel Amari, had spoken on behalf of the organized labor in the state, where he commended the governor for all his efforts, while describing him as the best workers’ friendly governor ever had in Kogi State.
He expressed his surprise at the seamless manner in which the implementation committee arrived at the new minimum wage, stating that some states in the federation were yet to set up an implementation committee.
He reiterated that Kogi State, which set up its implementation committee on September 17 had already come out with a minimum wage that will enrich the life of every worker in less than one month and further gave his assurances that every worker will show more commitment to their duties, even as they continue to cooperate with the governor to carry out his good intentions for the state.
