Gombe State Government on Thursday, announced its commitment to implement the new national minimum wage for state and local government workers, effective October 2024.
The decision was confirmed during a meeting between Government representatives led by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Manassah Jatau, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The announcement was made by Deputy Governor who chaired the Standing Committee on the Negotiation of the National Minimum Wage.
Speaking at a press briefing held in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office, Manassah Jatau conveyed the approval from the State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
According to him, “We have met and discussed with the NLC, and the Governor is determined to implement the new national minimum wage for both state and local government workers effective this month of October.”
Following the meeting, the Deputy Governor directed the formation of a technical committee to finalise the details surrounding the implementation of the wage increase, ensuring that all the nitty gritty is addressed within a period of 72 hours.
According to the Deputy Governor, the development marks a significant step in addressing the economic needs of workers in Gombe State and reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its employees.
He remarked, “This briefing is to address the press and by implication the general public, particularly the salary earners- Civil Servants on the decision taken by the negotiation committee. On the N70, 000 minimum wage which include local government workers.”
“You will recall that the Federal Government announced a new minimum wage. We needed a guideline on how to pay. The lag lbetween government policy and the receipt of the instrument of implementation of policy. Immediately we receive the guideline the Governor directed that the standing committee is to begin the negotiation,” he added.
The Deputy Governor added that, “The standing committee is the highest because it has the Deputy Governor as the chairman because the governor is very much committed to the welfare of workers in the state.”
In his remarks, Chairman, Gombe chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Alh. Yusuf Aish Bello assured civil servants in the state that nothing less than the N70,000 minimum wage will be paid to the workers of Gombe State.
He said that the next line of action awaits the technical committee whose report will be submitted in three days’ time for final approval of payment to the workers.
Those in attendance included, the Head of Civil Service, Alh Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, Commissioner of Finance, Alh. Mohammed Gambo Magaji, the State Accountant General, Alh.Aliyu Yuguda and the State Auditor General Mohammed Buba Gombe among others as contained in a statement by Jack. A. Tasha, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, (Deputy Governor’s Office).
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