Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants employed by the Rivers State Government.
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, attended by representatives of organized labour under the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.
The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, who spoke on behalf of the state government, confirmed the approval, noting that the new minimum wage is significantly higher than the national minimum wage. The implementation of the new wage will begin in November 2024.
“Governor Fubara has pronounced a figure that is higher than the National Minimum Wage. He pronounced a sum of N85,000, which is higher than the minimum wage that was prescribed nationally,” Nwaeke said.
Nwaeke also revealed that a technical committee has been formed to address the arrears associated with the wage increase. The committee, which Nwaeke will co-chair with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), will develop a feasible payment plan.
“Issues of arrears will be worked out by the committee, and we are already going to work on it to inform the press later,” Nwaeke added.
The approval of the new minimum wage has been met with widespread praise from labour unions in the state. Emecheta Chuku, Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, expressed his satisfaction with the decision, highlighting it as a positive gesture for civil servants.
“For the Governor to come, against all the crises, and say he will pay N85,000 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy. He understands the difference between gifting money and paying someone a salary that can sustain them from the first to the last day of the month,” Chuku said.
Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, also commended Governor Fubara’s decision, noting that Rivers State now matches Lagos State in offering the highest minimum wage for civil servants in Nigeria.
“Lagos State said N85,000, and Rivers State is paying N85,000. The IGRs of Lagos State and Rivers State are not the same. So, for the Governor to agree to pay the same rate with Lagos, that means we are at the top,” Agwanwor emphasized.
He further praised Governor Fubara as a “Champion of Labour”, commending his continued commitment to the welfare of workers in Rivers State.
“He has once again proven to be the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria,” Agwanwor added.
