By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 for state workers to help them cope with the current economic challenges.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the Governor made the announcement at the state secretariat after a meeting with representatives of the organized labor in the state.
The Governor reassured workers that his administration would pay three months of the five-month backlog of arrears in November 2024, as promised to the union. This payment, along with the new minimum wage, is included in the state’s 2024 budget.
Gov. Alia stated: “We are implementing a new National Minimum Wage of Seventy-five Thousand Naira (N75,000). We decided to set the wage at N75,000, fully aware of the concerns raised by labor during the negotiations.”
He added, “Recall that the President approved a N70,000 National Minimum Wage, which we have decided to exceed, in response to concerns raised by the organized labor about our ability to pay.”
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people, assuring that he would take all legitimate actions necessary to ensure that Benue workers are well cared for.
