Ezeokafor to Tinubu: Cut Cost of Governance to Pay Enhanced Minimum Wage

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called on President Bola Tinubu to cut cost of governance to enable him pay better wages to workers.

Ezeokafor who spoke to journalists in Awka, Wednesday, expressed displeasure over the N62,000 minimum wage offered by the federal government to workers.

He stated that the proposed wage is poor considering the high cost of living in the country today, adding that even N100,000 minimum wage was not enough to meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers.

He said: “It is unfortunate to hear about the minimum wage debates. To me, N100,000 is even not enough, looking at how some persons siphon monies meant for every Nigerian.

“It is a question of living in a very big blessed country and at the same time the workers and masses are suffering because some individuals are taking home what belongs to society, leaving the workers and the general public to be gnashing their teeth.

“Let us look at the N62,000 proposal. From it, someone will take care of his health, transportation, accommodation, feeding and everything about life per month and one month is 30 days on the average.

“Will that person ever be able to have a roof over his head? And yet they see it as too much to be paid to the people. I do not believe that we are telling ourselves the truth.

“When I hear people say that if government starts paying N62,000 it cannot sustain it, I think such people may be selfish. If they are looking for where to source the money from, they should slash the National Assembly Members’ jumbo salaries, the governors’ and the federal government’s salaries and emoluments itself.

“Cut down the cost of governance. Use the money to settle workers and poor Nigerians.

“See how the Burkina Faso President is managing the economy of the country. The President of Uruguay, see how he is managing their economy.

“What extra jobs are they doing to warrant such jumbo salaries? Labour should tell them that they can pay the money. Let them cut down the cost of running the government.

“You see somebody debating paying N62,000 while they are going home with N30 million monthly. If government is sincere, they should reduce the money they are sharing to themselves. If not, there could be a revolution,” the bishop stated.