- Governor Eno clarified that payment would only commence after the verification process to ascertain the exact number of workers is completed
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has deferred the payment of the new N80,000 minimum wage until the completion of an ongoing staff verification exercise.
The state government had earlier announced its readiness to implement the minimum wage from November 2024, following negotiations with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) that averted a planned statewide strike.
The NLC confirmed the agreement, stating that arrears for November would be paid by February 2025, while December salaries would reflect the new wage structure.
However, during the state’s Christmas Carol festival, Governor Eno clarified that payment would only commence after the verification process to ascertain the exact number of workers is completed.
He assured, “If the verification is completed today, I am ready to start payment tomorrow.”
Despite Labour’s decision to forgo the 13th-month salary in favour of the minimum wage, Eno announced that the government would still pay it in the spirit of the season.
At the event, the Governor also launched the ARISE Home Farmers Scheme (AHFS), inspired by the “Every Home a Garden” initiative of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to promote home gardening.
He presented a cheque of N5 million to Usen Akpan Matthew for his volunteer service and encouraged citizens to embrace acts of love and service.
Discussion about this post