TheCable

The national economic council (NEC) did not discuss the issue of minimum wage at its meeting on Thursday.

Mohammed Abubakar, governor of Bauchi state, disclosed this while speaking with state house correspondents at the end of the meeting which held at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had governors and some ministers in attendance.

“The issue of minimum wage was not discussed at NEC today,” he said.

Last week, minister of labour, had told reporters that while the Nigerian Labour Congress demanded N30,000 per month, the federal government proposed N24,000 and state governors, N20,000.

Ngige had said the tripartite committee involved in negotiations would continue to meet to arrive at a figure.

After a meeting by governors in Abuja, Abdulaziz Yari, chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said his colleagues lack the capacity to pay the new minimum wage as they were struggling to pay N18,000, the current minimum wage.

Abubakar also spoke on Paris Club refund, saying the federal government was right in listing conditions under which states can get it.

“It is necessary when you are getting such huge amount of money and there are states owing workers salary, that issue must be addressed. If a state does not meet the conditions, the federal government will be right to hold on to the funds until they get commitment of all states to meet this basic responsibility.”

In September, the federal government said states must clear outstanding salaries and other related staff arrears before they would be able to access the remaining $2.69 billion Paris Club refund.