Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced a new minimum wage of N40,000 to help alleviate the financial burdens of the state’s workforce.
The announcement was made during the Workers’ Day celebration at U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, marking a pivotal moment for labor rights in the region.
Governor Otu emphasized that the payment of salaries, workers’ wages, and pension benefits remains a top priority under his administration.
He reiterated that the implementation of the new wage is based on current facts rather than sentiments.
He cited challenges such as low Statutory Federal Allocation and an unfavorable State GDP to Debt servicing ratio, highlighting the need for pragmatic solutions to address the economic realities.
“Owing to the peculiarity of Cross River State regarding its lean finances occasioned by low Statutory Federal Allocation and aggravated by the unfavorable State GDP to Debt servicing ratio, the new wage implementation is in line with the realities of the time rather than sentiments,” he said.
For the backlog of gratuity in the state, which dates back to 2014, the governor appealed for patience, saying, “Government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers.”
He stressed that the theme for this year’s Workers’ Day is “People First,” and interestingly coincides with my administration’s mantra.
“Accordingly, whatever action aimed at alleviating the suffering of the workers is readily embraced by me. One of such measures is the payment of a living wage to the workforce. May I, therefore, state categorically that the government of Cross River State, under my leadership, is willing and ready to put smiles on the faces of its workers and in line with the season of sweetness which characterizes my administration,” the governor added