S/South Group Lauds Fubara Over N85,000 Minimum Wage
2 min readEdith CHUKU
The Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has been praised for approving N85,000 new minimum wage for civil servants in the employ of the Rivers State government.
Recall that the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, on Friday, affirmed that the governor had approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 which would begin in November, 2024.
The announcement was following an agreement reached during a closed door meeting held at Government House, Port Harcourt, which was presided over by the governor and attended by representatives of organised labour under the auspices of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in the state.
Speaking in a telephone interview with TNN, the South South Youth Initiative SSYI, commended Fubara for showing concern over the welfare of civil servants.
SSYI National President, Mr. Saviour Oscar Imeabe said, “the civil servants have actually suffered like every other person in the state. They have suffered promotion, from minimum wage even when the former governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was there.
“They’ve suffered from the payment of their arear, salaries, pensions and all that. They have not been involved. Sim in his wisdom has been able to show more concern to the civil servants in Rivers State.”
Imeabe recalled that, “just recently the governor also issued promotion letters to civil servants in the state and as well, decided to embark on the N85,000 minimum wage, it’s commendable.
“Even states like Lagos State is paying N85,000 as we speak right now upon the IGR they are getting. The IGR in Lagos State cannot be compared to that of Rivers State. I believe that at this point, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is trying to compete with Lagos State. So we want to commend him and appreciate the fact that he is doing well.”
The SSYI president further appealed to Fubara to come to the aid of those in the private sector, entrepreneurs and less privileged in the state.
“We think that his love and attention for civil servants is recognized but those of us at the private sector, those of us in the entrepreneur system, he is not giving attention to us. Like skills for youths that are less privileged.
“He should also look at the state of the youths, the youths also need his attention.”