A member of the House of Representatives, Akinlayo Kolawole, has called on state governors yet to implement the new minimum wage in their states not to hesitate to do so to ease the sufferings of the people.
Kolawole hailed Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for signing the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, saying the “laudable gesture showed commitment to workers’ welfare.”
The lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency II in the National Assembly, in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday, said, “It is necessary for other state governors who are yet to implement the new minimum wage to do so and as well implement other policies and programmes with human faces.
“Apart from being a matter of law, implementation of the new minimum wage in the country has become a necessity because of the present economic realities in the country especially the skyrocketing increase in the prices of food items and other commodities.
“Nigerian workers need to be encouraged through reasonable salaries and allowances to ensure service delivery for the citizenry since civil service remains an integral and only permanent aspect of the government structure.
“It is only through such that the principle of even distribution of resources can be achieved and the economy will be enhanced, hence practically and tactically fighting against any form of corrupt practice in the system.
“The N30,000 minimum wage obtainable before now was already outdated going by the astronomical increase in the prices of the commodity, building materials, transportation, and essential services among others across the land.”
According to The PUNCH, the federal lawmaker lauded workers in Ekiti State for their understanding and support for the governor, as he called on them “to re-dedicate yourselves towards the implementation of all good policies and programmes of the Oyebanji administration.”
Kolawole lauded Oyebanji for fulfilling his campaign promises of making workers’ welfare a priority at all times.
He also expressed satisfaction with the Oyebanji administration’s infrastructural projects across the state as he called on Ekiti people “to reciprocate every sacrifice being made by the governor to transform the state through prayers and support.”
Kolawole also called on Nigerian governors, irrespective of party affiliations, “to complement President Bola Tinubu’s’ efforts at making life more bearable for the people through impactful policies and programs. The President cannot do it alone, hence the need for all hands to be on the deck to make the society better for all.”
