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We expect new minimum wage implementation by July, says TUC
The organised labour movement is hopeful that the new minimum wage would be announced, passed into law, and its implementation begin before the end of next month.
President, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, stated this when he received the Special Adviser on Labour Matter from the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, and his delegation in Abuja.
Osifo said there was a need for the National Tripartite Negotiation Committee, made up of government, labour, and organised labour, to find a common ground so that the bill would receive prompt attention from President Bola Tinubu as well as the National Assembly and be passed into law.
He said: “What we are working on from both labour centres is that before the end of July, we should have a new minimum wage that must have passed through the processes and that must have been assented to by the President so that the plight of the workers will improve much more.
“So that the economic challenges that we are facing as a country will be improved upon so that an average worker will be able to go to market and buy one or two things to take care of his or her family because of this skyrocketing inflation that we have in our country.
“As you are aware, Labour has submitted N250,000, the government and organised private sector N62,000. Let both parties come together; let all parties come together.
“We will resolve and have a common front so that the President will be able to send the bill to the National Assembly, and at the end of the day, we will have a new national minimum wage. This is key; this is a topic that is germane for all labour unions today in Nigeria.”
Osifo, who commended the government of Kogi State for the clarification of payment of the N30,000 minimum wage to workers, however, noted that state governments should begin to put plans in place to begin the implementation of the new wage once it is signed into law.
“We are not at this moment even dwelling on the N30,000 again. I was listening to a state, I think Nasarawa State, that said they started setting aside some money to meet the new obligations when the new minimum wage is passed. So, I wish to also appeal that in Kogi, let that be the top priority amid this scarcity of income, amid this scarcity of revenue
“I wish to also use this opportunity to speak to all other states that they should be putting plans in place to implement the new minimum wage because, in Labour today, we are totally ready because when the new Minimum Wage Act is passed, we are going to follow it state by state to ensure that it is implemented.
“Let the workers heave a sigh of relief and we have the trust and the belief that, with the high Labour representation in the Kogi State government, we believe that the Kogi State government will do the needful.’’
Earlier, the Special Adviser on Labour Matter to the Kogi State Governor, Onuh Edoka, noted that the administration of Governor Ahmed Ododo has corrected the shortcomings of the immediate past administration, especially workers’ welfare.
Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi, has officially sworn in five newly appointed special advisers to strengthen his administration’s efforts in delivering good governance.
The appointees and their portfolios include Abdulkadir Bala Umar T.O., Special Adviser on Special Duties; Uzairu Nadabo, Special Adviser on Export Processing Zones (EPZ); and Ado Local, Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce.
Others are Musa Shu’aibu Guri, Special Adviser on Revenue, and Sa’idu Umar, Special Adviser on Nutrition.
The governor emphasised the importance of integrity, perseverance, and dedication to duty.
He urged the advisers to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to them with utmost sincerity, as their roles are critical to achieving the administration’s objectives.
The governor reminded them of the sacred oath they had taken, stressing that they would be held accountable both in this life and on the Day of Judgment.
He further advised them to use their previous experiences and qualifications to serve the state effectively and ensure the betterment of the people.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday inaugurated Xejet’s state-of-the-art Flight Support and Engineering Hub at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, valued at $10 million.
He said that while the government may not have all the money to give to the private sector, it would create an enabling environment and the right policies to support this type of growth and development.
Keyamo emphasized that the current administration would support the growth and development of local operators.
His words: “This is a huge achievement; the concept alone, getting the backing and bringing it to fruition like this, to start off work, with one of the best construction companies we have, is a dream come true. Let me say that we have also attracted similar projects to the part of the airport you’re seeing.”
“Xejet, we will be here with you throughout, from the beginning to the end. Our technical team will be here, the MD FAAN will put the engineering team together, to ensure that they support you; and you comply with all regulations. The DG NCAA too will do the same, to ensure that what we have here will be world-class.”
On his part, Xejet CEO, Emmanuel Iza, said that the facility represents the company’s pledge to elevate aviation services in Nigeria to global standards.
According to him, “Through cutting-edge technology, superior engineering, and unparalleled flight support, Xejet seeks to not only improve operational efficiencies but deliver an exclusive experience that sets us apart in the industry.”
Speaking of the cost implications, he said the project is in two phases.
“The first phase is to prepare the ground, to create the taxiway that is going to connect the runway to our facility and the apron. That’s roughly in excess of $5 million. And we are expecting to put the structure of equal amount on top of it there.”
The Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria, AMMBAN, has warned that its members might be forced to raise service charges due to the recent telecommunications tariff hike.
Ogungbayi Ganiyu, the National Public Relations Officer of AMMBAN, made this statement on Monday, January 20, in response to the Federal Government’s approval of a 50 percent increase in telecom services tariffs.
Ganiyu explained that AMMBAN members primarily rely on telecom services, particularly data, for their operations, and will therefore be significantly affected by the hike.
However, he mentioned that POS operators may attempt to absorb the increased cost of telecom tariffs themselves.
“The telecom tariff hike will impact the operations of our members. I am afraid this may also have a multiplier effect on service charges.
“We have not sat down and looked at the latest tariff hike,” he stated.
On Monday, the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, pledged to take legal action against the Federal Government over the 50 percent increase in telecoms tariffs.
It is worth noting that the last time telecoms tariffs were raised was in 2013.
Governor Namadi swears in five new special advisers
Aviation Minister inaugurates $10m Xejet’s flight support, engineering hub in Abuja
50% telecom tariff hike: POS operators threaten to hike charges
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