Enugu governor Peter Mbah has unveiled a comprehensive welfare plan for state workers, promising cash rewards ranging from N10,000 to N25,000 monthly until April 2024.
The announcement was made during a joint media briefing with labour leaders.
Governor Mbah emphasised the crucial role of a contented workforce in achieving the state’s developmental objectives.
In addition to the cash incentives, he revealed plans to expand the state’s social register enrollment from 43,000 to 260,000, aiming to extend cash transfers and other social interventions to more indigent citizens.
Furthermore, the governor reaffirmed ongoing negotiations for a revised minimum wage, pledging swift implementation upon the committee’s conclusions by April.
Highlighting an ambitious goal, Governor Mbah expressed his determination to eradicate poverty by 2031, earmarking substantial funds for social development programs like water and sanitation initiatives, constructing 260 model primary healthcare centres, and establishing smart schools with teachers’ quarters.
“As you may be aware, since the removal of the petroleum subsidy, we have been in constant negotiation with the labour unions in the state, crafting a way forward on how we can provide palliatives to our teeming workforce.
“So, by the time you put a monetary value to all the social services we have provided, it will weigh well above N100,000 minimum wage.
“But in addition to that, with effect from next month (December), we are going to also make a flat payment to all categories of our workers, beginning from our local government to the primary and secondary school teachers, and civil servants. We are going to categorise them and there will be flat payment of between N10,000 and 25,000, depending on the category. That payment is going to continue till April.
“Our hope is that by the end of April, the committee that is reviewing the minimum wage would have come out with what would then become the new minimum wage in the state. So, from there, we are just going to carry on the implementation of what is then set as the minimum wage”, the governor stated.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress chairmen lauded the governor’s proactive stance on workers’ welfare.
They commended the administration’s prompt salary payments and upcoming promotions, affirming confidence in the governor’s commitment to fulfilling electoral promises without necessitating protests or strikes.
