Nasarawa governor reveals salary increase for junior workers

By Abubakar Lawal Lafia

Governor, Abdullahi Sule of,Nasarawa state has restated his administration combat ready to implement the new national minimum wage for civil servants from grade level six downwards.

He disclosed while playing host to the national leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Women Commission in Government House, Shemdam Road, Lafia.

“My administration is fully ready to increase the salary of civil servants from grade level six downwards to the N30, 000 new minimum wage.

Sule called for mutual understanding between government and civil servants from level 7 to 16, who are already enjoying higher salaries as was implemented by the previous administration.

“As we are aware, civil servants in this category earning higher salaries even more than some of their colleagues in states like Kaduna, Plateau and Kwara, where the new national minimum wage was implemented.

“What we are waiting now is for the committee on the new national minimum wage, to submit its report for my signature.

“We are willing to sign it today. We will not tamper with the status quo for civil servants on grade level 7 to 16.

“We are being more than generous for a state that is struggling,” he stated.

He urged officials of all unions in the state, to appeal to their members for understanding, especially that Nasarawa State is still contending with the economic consequences of the COVID-19 and other challenges.

Speaking on the lingering issue of promotion, Sule explained that it’s not a big deal for any institution to promote its employees.

According to him, civil service in the state needs to be reformed that is why this administration commenced training of civil servants, as well as empowering them with proper tools to work.

“If you give somebody responsibility, give them proper tools, encouragement and training, and let them perform. If they don’t perform, then promotion doesn’t come,” he said.

He said the thrust of his administration is to reform the state civil service, to make civil servants in the state become more competitive, even better than civil servants working in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On the matter concerning the outstanding salary arrears of some civil servants in the state, also inherited from the previous administration, Engineer Sule, expressed willingness to implement the report recently submitted by the Committee on Promotions and Salary Arrears, as well as release their payment.

In her opening remarks, National Chairperson of the TUC women wing, Hafsat Shuaibu, give kudos to Sule for carrying women along in his administration.

Mrs. Shuaibu said the TUC women wing decided to come to the state to hold its annual seminar, with women drawn across the 36 states and the FCT, mostly because of his track records.