Niger govt approves implementation of new wage increase

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has directed the immediate implementation of new wage increase as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in commemoration of 2024 workers day.

The Governor made the pronouncement while delivering his key note address to mark the 2024 International Workers Day event held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Center, Minna.

He noted that since he assumed office, his administration has been labour-friendly, hence the need to implement the new wage increment so as to cushion the effect of economic crisis in all the spheres of human endeavour across the states.

The Governor, represented by the Head of Service, Salihu Abubakar cautioned the workers to stop seeking for short term loans to avoid financial crisis.

He urged the workers and the people of the state to be patient with his administration, stressing that his developmental vision was aimed at impacting positively on the living standard of the people, just as he assured that his administration has taken the welfare of the workers with all seriously,noting that he will continue with the tempo.

Earlier, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Idrees Abdulkareem Lafene, explained that 1st May every year has been a day of commemoration and protest for workers right, adding that it was observed with various activities,including demonstrations, marches, and rallies,advocating for better wages,improved working conditions and labour rights.

Lafene, thereby enjoined the Niger State government to as a matter of urgency stop monthly deductions from workers salaries for the’state’s Health Insurance Scheme.

He also in advised the government to see workers as partners in progress.