COVID-19: Gombe govt suspends N30,000 minimum wage, slashes political appointees salaries

The Gombe State government has suspended payment of the N30,000 minimum wage following dwindling finances due to the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr Manassah Jatau, said at a press briefing on Saturday in Gombe, that the decision was taken after consultation with the standing committee on minimum wage and relevant stakeholders.

According to him, the new minimum wage suspension is with effect from March 2020.

“The minimum wage increment and its consequential adjustments adopted by the state has been suspended until when the economy of the state improves.

ALSO READ: Lagos govt suspends planned closure of Marine Bridge for five months

“The Ministry of Finance is to review the 2020 budget to reflect the reduction in the price of oil in the international market and subsequent adoption of 30 dollars per barrel benchmark by the Federal Government.

“In view of the above, all salaries of political office holders and Permanent Secretaries will be reviewed accordingly as a sacrifice to the state,” the deputy governor said.

He said that the state revenue service would be strengthened to perform better with a view to reducing the state’s over-reliance on Federal allocations.

Jatau added that the government would announce new austerity measures to further reduce financial leakage and enhance savings for the execution of necessary capital projects.

The State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Mohammed Musa, called on civil servants to remain calm and appreciate the current situation the state government had found itself.

“At the last federation allocation, Gombe State lost N800 million from its allocation due to the dwindling oil price at the international market,’’ he said.

The NLC chairman assured workers that the suspension is temporary, as full implementation of the minimum wage and payment of all arrears will commence when the state’s financial situation improves.

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