Gombe rules out arrears payment on N70,000 wage

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya

The Gombe State Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee, headed by the state’s Deputy Governor, Dr. Manassah Jatau, has set October as the month for workers in the state to receive the agreed wage.

Briefing journalists on Thursday, Jatau said the committee just received the Federal Government’s consequential adjustment table, adding that the technical subcommittee, led by the Commissioner for Finance, Gambo Magaji, has 72 hours to determine the amount payable to workers in the state.

Jatau stated, “Having received that document, we have decided to meet and see precisely what we can do. From the membership that you see from the government side and labour, you will see that it’s a sign of total concern.

“We have looked at what is available and what is not available, and I can assure you that the government, and the governor, is determined to pay the N70,000 minimum wage from this month.

“We have discussed that, but at any point in time, you know we have those that are called technical people; they have been given 72 hours to meet and come back with the final nitty-gritties to look at where we may not have seen, since most of us are politicians. I can assure you that within 72 hours they will come with their report, and possibly by Monday, I will confirm what I have said.”

He disclosed that the Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s administration was committed to improving the welfare of workers within its financial strength, adding that the state may not consider arrears.

“I don’t have money for salary arrears. Let’s start where we are. At the time the Federal Government made its announcement, the circular to work with was not there. If we are to pay arrears, on what basis? The effective date for payment is October 2024.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Yusuf Aish-Bello, said the union would not accept anything less than the agreed minimum wage.

Aish-Bello said, “The assurance I give to you is that it is going to be N70,000, nothing less. I want to inform the general civil servants and residents that we have looked at tables from the national level, and I believe that when we reconvene in the technical meeting, we will arrive at what is going to be paid to the civil servants of Gombe State.”