Gov. Bello Sets To Implement 30,000 New Minimum Wage In Kogi

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Kogi State Head of Service (HOS) Mrs. Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo on Wednesday in Lokoja re-stated government’s commitment to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage for workers in the state.

Mrs. Odiyo disclosed this while declaring open a day Workshop organised by the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, (ASCSN) Kogi state Chapter, for its members in Lokoja.

She reemphasized the State Government resolve to sustain enhanced welfare packages for civil servants in the state to enhance their productivity, maintaining that re-training of staff will also continue to receive priority attention.

The HOS promised that Government will sustain regular payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements currently being enjoyed by its workers to better their living conditions.

She disclosed that government had equally embarked on motivation of workers through empowering them on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to meet up with the modern reality in the discharge of their duties.

“As Civil Servants, you must strive to complement government’s efforts by keying into investments that will better your living as well as plan for your retirement in future” she advised.

Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Kogi Branch of the Association, (ASCSN), Comrade Akeji Aron called for the quick implementation of the new minimum wage by the state government saying that none-implememtation of the policy was long overdue under the prevailing economic woes in Nigeria.

The Chairman also called on the state government to jettison the rumoured implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Kogi Health Insurance Scheme and give attention to the payment of arrears of benefits of civil servants in the state.

In the two papers delivered by the Director of Finance & Administration at Kogi State House of Assembly, Enimola Martins, titled: tittles “Preparing For Retirement: Challenges and Solutions,” identified proper investments as a major tool to have a better and enjoyable retirement life.

The Guest Lecturer enumerated some areas for lucrative business for the retirees to include; Garri grinding machine services, Kerosine retail sales, Pure water packaging, Rental services, Sales of seasoned food stuff, Vegitable garden, Fruit planting, Supper Market, Barbing saloon as well as Tye and Dye businesses.

Martins also maintained that investment in Human Resources constituted an essential basis for nation building and a major ingredient for achieving progress towards the welfare of citizenry.