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Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has assured that governors are not opposed to the implementation of the new minimum wage for public workers, dismissing claims that governors are not cooperating with the federal government on the issue.
Addressing journalists after meeting with Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the State House in Abuja, Governor Sule discussed the security situation in his state, stating Nasarawa’s readiness for investment and agriculture.
Sule said that Nasarawa has been paying the current minimum wage of N30,000 since 2019 and has also implemented promotions, gratuities, and other benefits for workers.
He pointed out the role of a committee established by the Federal Government to work on the minimum wage, adding that governors are awaiting the outcome of the committee’s deliberations.
Sule said, “We’re concerned about the welfare of the workers. In fact, we’re paying some special allowances called hazard allowance, even to our medical workers, as I’m talking to you right now.
“So I don’t think governors have any problem with the payment of minimum wage. I don’t speak for the governors. Our chairman, the Governor of Kwara, actually speaks for the governors and he will do that at the right time to you.
“But it is incorrect, actually, to say that governors are not interested or are not cooperating. What the governors keep saying is that there is a committee established by the federal government to work on the minimum wage.
“We are waiting for the outcome of that committee and that committee is not just looking at the federal government; it’s looking at the state government and organized private sector. So by the time they provide, we don’t want to jump the gun and that’s why we continue to do that.
“You may find one or two states make certain statements, which is okay perfectly in line. Minimum is minimum, when they say minimum wage, it doesn’t mean that somebody cannot be higher than that, dependent on your own cash flow and dependent on your own position. So, I think that’s the position.”
Regarding security, Sule assured Nigerians that Nasarawa State is safe for investment and agriculture, citing the construction of major roads and the establishment of a military super-camp as factors contributing to improved security in the state.
He also pointed out the state’s achievements in agriculture, including leading in sesame farming and ranking high in yam, cassava, and rice production nationwide.
“Coming back to the issue of security that you have mentioned, it took us a while to be able to stabilize the area..
“We constructed a major road in the area and the federal government also constructed the major road that comes all the way from Benue into Nasarawa State, which most of the transporters from the eastern part of the country are actually using at the moment.
“We also established what you call a military super-camp in the area so there is presence of the military in the area. So all those kidnappers, bandits and others have all left, we don’t have any as far as that area is concerned.
In preparation for the inauguration of a lithium factory in the state, scheduled for Friday, Sule mentioned that he discussed the event with Vice-President Shettima, expressing hope that President Bola Tinubu would attend the ceremony.
He said, “I also came to discuss about the inauguration of the lithium factory that we’re having on Friday. As you know that this Friday we’re going to inaugurate a 4,000 metric tons per day lithium processing factory, which he has always been interested in knowing the outcome of what is happening.
“So we came to discuss that and part of the preparations. In fact, we’re hoping Mr President himself will be coming to inaugurate that factory.”
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