Politics |

June 27, 2024

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 IFMNEWS

Tinubu Meets with Governors to Discuss Minimum Wage and Economy

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kassim Shettima met on Thursday with the governors of the 36 states and ministers to discuss a new minimum wage for workers and other economic issues. The meeting took place during the 141st session of the National Economic Council (NEC) in the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.

Vice President Shettima chaired the meeting initially, with state governors, deputy governors, and ministers in attendance, before President Tinubu arrived.

This meeting occurred just two days after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) postponed a minimum wage review memo to allow for further consultations. On Wednesday, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) met in Abuja and reassured Nigerians that the ongoing negotiations among the government, private sector, and organized labor would result in better wages.

In his Democracy Day speech on June 12, 2024, President Tinubu promised that an executive bill on the new national minimum wage would soon be sent to the National Assembly for passage. The President is expected to decide between the government and private sector's proposal of ₦62,000 and Labour's demand for ₦250,000.

June 27, 2024

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 IFMNEWS

PDP Has Let Us Down; We Now Operate as a Movement, Says Fubara

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed his dissatisfaction with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), stating that the party had disappointed him and his supporters in the state.

Fubara, who was elected governor under the PDP a year ago, made these remarks during a meeting with the Senate Committee on Privatisation, headed by Senator Orji Kalu, at the government house in Port Harcourt on Wednesday. Also, present was Senator Abba Moro, a prominent figure in the PDP whom Governor Fubara recognized.

In a somewhat light-hearted exchange with the Benue politician, Fubara indicated his reluctance to strictly adhere to party protocols, citing his belief that the party had failed to meet the expectations of the state. He emphasized that he and his supporters in Rivers State were now operating more as a movement dedicated to defending democracy rather than simply as members of a political party.

Governor Fubara also addressed the recent political tensions in the state, which were heightened by an attempted bombing at the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The individual involved, who was later apprehended by the police, allegedly targeted the hotel where high-profile individuals, including members of the Senate committee, were staying. Fubara suggested that the incident was orchestrated to justify calls for a state of emergency in the state.

Regarding the rule of law in Rivers State, the governor expressed concerns about perceived impunity and questioned why some individuals seemed immune to legal consequences. He clarified that his actions were not driven by personal animosity but rather by a desire to protect the interests of Rivers State and its supporters from those who seek to dominate others.

June 26, 2024

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 IFMNEWS

Abia Government Announces Plan to Settle Workers’ Salary Arrears

The Abia State Government has announced plans to pay salary arrears owed to workers in state-owned higher institutions in installments. Commissioner for Finance Mike Akpara revealed this on Tuesday during a press conference in Umuahia, the state capital.

Mr. Akpara emphasized the current administration's commitment to ending the cycle of unpaid wages, stating, "A worker deserves his wages." He disclosed that the administration inherited N16.5 billion in salary arrears owed to employees in state-owned educational institutions.

The government has resolved to clear these arrears while maintaining progress in other sectors of the economy. Mr. Akpara noted, "We need to jump-start the state's economy, and for money circulation to improve in Abia, we need to stop going to bed by 7 p.m. The governor has set machinery in motion to ensure that salary arrears become a thing of the past."

He explained that the arrears would be paid in installments to avoid disrupting progress in other sectors. The payment process is expected to begin by July or August and be completed by the end of the year.

The salary arrears, totaling N16.5 billion, affect various state-owned institutions, including Abia State University (ABSU), the College of Education in Arochukwu, the College of Health Sciences, the Abia State Polytechnic in Aba, and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital.

Mr. Akpara stated that the government had already paid April and May salary arrears for ABSU workers. He criticized the previous practice of subventions being given without ensuring salaries were paid, leading to substantial arrears in many institutions.

He detailed the arrears owed to specific institutions: "The past government owed Abia Polytechnic 33 months, the College of Education Arochukwu 22 months, and Abia State University 11 months. The Hospital Management Board was owed several months, leading to strikes. We also have ASUBEB and SEMB, with total arrears exceeding N4 billion."

The government is committed to addressing these arrears while continuing to foster development across other sectors of the economy.

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