Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed the willingness of his administration to implement the new minimum wage for civil servants from grade level six downwards.
The Governor who stated this while playing host to the national leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Women Commission, at the Government House said government will implement the 30,000 new wage for GL 0-6
He however appealed for the understanding of workers from GL 7 to 16, who are already enjoying higher salaries as was implemented by the previous administration.
According to him, civil servants in that category are earning higher salaries even more than some of their colleagues in states like Kaduna, Plateau and Kwara, where the new national minimum wage was implemented.
The Governor said his administration is waiting for the committee on the new national minimum wage, to submit its report for him to sign.
“We are willing to sign it today. We will not tamper with the status quo for civil servants on grade level 7 to 16.
“We are being more than generous for a state that is struggling,” he stated.
Governor Sule however urged officials of all unions in the state, to appeal to their members for understanding, especially that Nasarawa State is still contending with the economic consequences of the COVID-19 and other challenges.
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Commenting on the issue of promotion, the Governor noted that it’s not too much responsibility for any institution to promote its employees, stressing however that it’s necessary to match promotion with performance.
The Governor however stressed the need for reform in the state civil service, which he said informed the decision of his administration to embark on the training of civil servants, as well as empowering them with proper tools to work.
“If you give somebody responsibility, give them proper tools, encouragement and training, and let them perform. If they don’t perform, then promotion doesn’t come,” he said.
He said the thrust of his administration is to reform the state civil service, to make civil servants in the state become more competitive, even better than civil servants working in the Federal.Capital Territory (FCT).
On the matter concerning the outstanding salary arrears of some civil servants in the state, also inherited from the previous administration, Governor Sule, expressed willingness to implement the report recently submitted by the Committee on Promotions and Salary Arrears, as well as release their payment.
In her opening remarks, National Chairperson of the TUC women wing, Hafsat Shuaibu, commended the Governor for carrying women along in his administration.
Mrs. Shuaibu said the TUC women wing decided to come to Nasarawa State to hold its annual seminar, with women drawn across the 36 states and the FCT, mostly because of the Governor’s records of achievements.
