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Federal Civil Servants Lament Delay in New Minimum Wage Amid Rising Economic Hardships
Federal Civil Servants in the FCT, have decried prolonged delay in implementation of the new minimum wage of N70,000 even as the economic condition of Nigerians continue to worsen,
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the living standard of Nigerians has continued to deteriorate since President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidies on petroleum products on May 29, 2023.
The liberalisation of the exchange rates windows in June, through floatation of the Naira, also exacerbated the economic situation, leading to a long negotiation between organised labour and the Federal Government.
However, on July 19, both parties settled for N70,000 new minimum wage.
The Federal Government had also, earlier announced a 25 per cent and 35 per cent adjustment in salaries of certain categories of workers on the consolidated salary structures.
The wage increase which was supposed to take effect from January till now had neither been paid nor the minimum wage of N70,000 implemented at the end of August.
Findings, however, revealed that Edo, Adamawa, Osun, Taraba, Enugu and Ebonyi states have commenced payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage to their civil servants.
Consistent checks with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission have not yielded any response.
Mrs Maimuna Tijani, a Civil Servant, said that the delay in implementing the new minimum wage and the wage increase was frustrating and unfair.
According to her, civil servants are already struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s failure to follow through on its promises only worsens the situation.
”It shows a lack of commitment to improving the welfare of citizens.”
She said that she had been forced to cut down on non-essential expenses and find additional sources of income, like tutoring.
”I am also relying more on family support and community savings schemes to get by during this tough times,” she said.
Mr Mathew Afolabi, a teacher, said that though the delay might be due to the economic challenges the government might be experiencing, it was critical to prioritise workers’ welfare.
Afolabi said that without a wage increase, the purchasing power of the average teacher had continued to erode, leading to more significant economic problems.
”I have started budgeting more strictly and avoiding unnecessary purchases. I am also considering moving to a cheaper area to reduce my rent expenses. It is tough, but I am trying to stay optimistic,” he said.
Mrs Lydia Dimka, a Nurse, expressed disappointment at the delay.
”The government has a history of delaying such promises. Unfortunately, it is the average worker who suffers the most, as inflation continues to rise while wages remain stagnant.
”I have had to take on extra shifts and some side jobs to supplement my income.
”We have also reduced our grocery budget in the family by buying in bulk and choosing cheaper alternatives. We are getting by, but it is challenging,” she said.
Ms Chioma Ufodike said that the delay was a clear indication that the government was out of touch with the realities faced by the average Nigerian worker.
Ufodike said that if the government understood the daily struggles, this wage increase would have been implemented immediately.
Ufodike added that she had resorted to “carpooling” and using public transport more often to save on fuel costs.
“Additionally, I have cut down on social activities and non-essential spending. It is not ideal, but it is the only way to cope right now,” she said.
Mrs Seido Terso, a Journalist said that the delay was unacceptable.
Terso said that she had been trying to save as much as possible by cooking at home and avoiding eating out.
”I am also trying to sell unused items to make extra money. It has been a difficult adjustment, but I am managing.
”The delay shows a lack of respect for workers who have been patiently waiting for the wage increase.
”The government needs to take swift action before things get worse for everyone,” she said.
Meanwhile, an economist, Dr Chijioke Ekechukwu, has said that the solution for Nigerians was not in implementing the minimum wage only.
According to Ekechukwu, the solution is to ensure that the inflation rate reduces, the exchange rate moderates, fuel prices are reduced, employment opportunities are created, and criminality and banditry are reduced.
“That way, even if the minimum wage is not achieved, Nigerians will still be able to manage the economic situation.
“As a country, however, we must be seen to be meeting and fulfilling our promises to be trusted both now and in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, despite the hardship already being faced by Nigerians, the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) on Tuesday shockingly directed an increase in the pump price of petrol from about N568 per litre to about N855 per litre.
However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the immediate reversal of the new increase in the pump price of petrol.
The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, said that the congress felt a deep sense of betrayal by the increase in the pump price of petrol.
He said that one of the reasons for accepting N70,000 as the national minimum wage was the understanding that the pump price of petrol would not be increased.
“The government gave the options of either N250,000 minimum wage and a rise in the pump price between N1,500 and N2,000 or N70,000 minimum wage and retaining pump price of N568 – N617 per litre.
”We opted for the latter because we could not bring ourselves to accept further punishment on Nigerians.
”But here we are, barely one month after and with the government yet to commence payment of the new national minimum wage, confronted by a reality we cannot explain.
“It is both traumatic and nightmarish,” Ajaero said.
[Vanguard]
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Unattended corpse on Wurukum-Akpehe road raises health voncerns +Photo
By Francesca Hangeior
A woman’s corpse has been lying by the roadside along Wurukum-Akpehe Road for the past two days without removal.
Despite reports that the relevant authorities were contacted, no action has been taken so far.
The decaying body according to report is now emitting a strong odor, posing a potential health risk to the general public, especially to shop owners and residents in the vicinity.
Speaking on the development, road users called on the authorities to do the needful
Accodding to them, “It is crucial that the responsible authorities urgently address this situation to prevent further health hazards and restore safety to the area”.
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EFCC denies involvement in Edo governorship tribunal witness arrest
By Francesca Hangeior
Head of Media and Publicity for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),
Dele Oyewale, has clarified that the anti-graft agency has no interest in a witness of the Edo State governorship election petitions tribunal unless there is a corruption issue.
Oyewale’s statement, made on Wednesday, came in response to a viral video alleging that EFCC operatives had raided a hotel in Benin to arrest Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a witness for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024 Edo State election.
The spokesman of EFCC said: “The attention of the EFCC has been drawn to a trending video insinuating that Mr. Jonathan Okunbor, a suspect being investigated for an alleged N6 billion fraud, was an election witness.
“The commission wishes to state without any equivocation that Okunbor is not a witness of the PDP in the election tribunal, as claimed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo. Rather, he (Okunbor) is a prime suspect connected to a case of misappropriation of funds involving all the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
“Ongoing investigations showed that about N6 billion was diverted to Kezmith Global Ventures, owned by Ogunbor. The suspect was running the ventures using the name and identity of Mr. Godfrey Emode.
“The commission’s investigators, in their quest to unearth the shadiness of Ogunbor, arrested Emode, who led them to the suspect in Eterno Hotel, Benin City, where a pre-trial meeting was being held.
“Investigators interrogated the counsel to Ighodalo on the status of Ogunbor in the election tribunal matters and he clearly stated that he was not a witness in the matter.
“In spite of this, Mr. Ighodalo and his co-travellers at Eterno Hotel prevented EFCC officers from carrying out their constitutional duty and obstructed them from arresting Ogunbor. Specifically, Ighodalo insisted that Ogunbor was his witness, when it was obvious that he only wanted to aid his escape from the commission’s investigators.
“The EFCC remains committed to its adherence to the rule of law and the commission has no business with any Edo State election witness that has no corruption charge before it. The EFCC will not hesitate to bring anyone to trial, witness or no witness, if it has a basis for doing so.”
Oyewale assured members of the public that Ogunbor would be brought to book soon, in connection with the alleged N6 billion fraud involving his firm, Kezmith Global Ventures.
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