Diri Approves N80,000, Nwifuru N75,000 Minimum Wage to Bayelsa, Ebonyi Workers

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, weekend, approved the sum of N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service, effective November 1, 2024.

Similarly, Ebonyi State Governor, Mr Francis Nwifuru, also approved 75,000 as the minimum wage to civil servants in the state.
In Bayelsa, although some were not happy that the wage increase was not backdated as most governors did, many of the civil servants, who spoke with THISDAY, expressed happiness at the increase.
Those who were profoundly happy were workers in the junior cadre, whose salary has not been able to meet their daily needs due to the current economic hardship in the country.

The governor also approved an increase in the monthly pension of retired workers as well as N7billion to reduce outstanding gratuity liabilities.
His spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah, who disclosed these in a statement, said the Bayelsa governor acknowledged the challenging times workers faced in the state due to the rise in the cost of living.
On his part, Nwifuru announced the minimum wage shortly after a Holy Mass at the Government House Chapel, Abakaliki on Sunday.

He said the decision followed careful review of the current economic situation in the country, especially as it affected the workforce.
According to the governor, the least paid Civil Servant on grade level 2 would enjoy full minimum wage of 75,000 while from grade level 3 and above would get  incremental of 40,000 across board.
He said implementation of the new minimum wage would commence on Monday October 28, 2024, even as he announced the appointment of General Managers to pilot affairs of two major Industries in the state.
The appointees were Dr. Obinna Ezenkwa, Umuoghara Pulverization Plant and Barrister Uchenna Otuh, Ezzamgbo Pipe Production Factory.

He said the appointments were made bearing in mind the expertise of the appointees which are needful to drive the Industries.