TheCable

The Akwa Ibom state government has commenced the payment of N30,000.00 minimum wage to its workforce.

Uwem Andrew-Essien, accountant-general of the state, said the new minimum wage came into effect with the February, 2020 salary, while January arrears were also paid.

Andrew-Essien said while some states in the federation are still negotiating with the organised labour on agreeable modalities for the implementation of the new minimum wage, he is happy that Akwa Ibom is among the few ones to have implemented and began the payment of the new minimum wage with arrears.

He thanked Udom Emmanuel, the governor, for not paying lip service to the welfare of workers, describing him as “workers’ friendly governor”.

“We applaud and celebrate the Governor for the huge interest he has shown the workers of the State, their welfare and general well-being. We commend the Organized Labour for maintaining industrial harmony in the State,” he said.

He said the payment of the new minimum wage by the governor would help ease the financial pressure on workers of the state.

Andrew-Essien appealed to workers to reciprocate state government’s “kind gesture” by being committed to their assigned duties in order to contribute positively to the growth of the state’s economy.