The Ogun State Government has assured that it will be in the lead to effect the implementation of new minimum wage for its workforce emphasizing that all hands are already on deck working assiduously towards that.
Penpushing reports that Governor Dapo Abiodun gave the assurance at a meeting with the leadership of organized labor held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, stressing that his administration is working towards implementing the new minimum wage.
The Governor pointed out that workers have been instrumental in the rapid economic growth the state is witnessing and promised the union leaders that Ogun State would not take second place in the implementation of the new minimum wage.
‘On the new minimum wage, all hands are on deck working assiduously, and I am sure that as always, we will not be number two in the implementation of the minimum wage. I have told my team that we should roll up our sleeves; we should work as hard as we can without putting undue pressure on our people’, he said.
‘We should be creative, more efficient, block loopholes, and increase our revenue so that we can afford to pay the new minimum wage comfortably, and by the grace of God, we will not be second in terms of implementation’, Abiodun stated
Penpushing further reports that he pleaded for continued partnership from organized labor, emphasizing that their cooperation has led to economic prosperity, as the state budget has increased from less than N400 billion at the inception of the administration to the current N703 billion, with performance at 80 percent.
The Governor added that the state is looking at a trillion Naira budget for next year’s appropriation explaining that he initiated the meeting as part of efforts to engage stakeholders involved in the movement of people to find solutions to the current situation caused by the fuel subsidy removal.
Penpushing also reports that Abiodun, took time to explain the intricacies of the oil sector, acknowledged that the current realities are the fallout of the federal government’s decision, led by President Bola Tinubu, to reposition the nation’s economy for sustainability, adding that as a responsible government, his administration has put several measures in place to cushion the effects on the people.
“We have commenced the energy transition program by converting our mass transit buses to CNG and launching electric motorcycles and tricycles. Yesterday (Monday), we held a meeting with the transport unions. They demanded that we ramp up the availability of these alternative means of fueling transportation in the state and widen the scope because of the success they have recorded’, he said
‘The federal government is making rice available for us to sell at very subsidized prices to everybody. The federal government is also providing us with 500 CNG kits that we will use to convert 509 commercial vehicles so that we can lower the cost of transportation,” Abiodun added.
Penpushing reports that the Governor disclosed that the federal government, would send 20 CNG buses in the first instance to the state, while the state government would provide 100 CNG buses to transport unions in the state.
The Governor explained that transportation costs are expected to be reduced by 50-80 percent as more people embrace electric motorcycles and CNG vehicles, attributing the current fuel scarcity to operational and financial issues, while the hike in prices is due to subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira.
‘With all that has been put in place, with all hands-on deck and the commitment to energy transition, by the time we have transitioned from over-reliance on petrol to CNG to electric vehicles and other forms of energy, you will begin to see that the cost of transportation, which is where the problem really lies, will begin to drop. Therefore, our commitment to energy transition is total. It is the only path to sustainability. It has been done in other countries before,” he said.
Penpushing further reports that Abiodun disclosed that a Presidential CNG Initiative comprising people from different sectors has been established, while the state has been made the hub for the transition of vehicles in the southwest due to its experience in the project.
The Governor disclosed that farmers’ markets would be set up in the three zones across the state to enable people to buy foodstuffs at affordable prices, while a task force comprising transport union executives and law enforcement agencies has also been established to monitor arbitrary hikes in transport fares, adding that labor would be involved in it.
Penpushing also reports that Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hameed Benco, while appreciating the governor for always making organized labor part of his decision-making process, stressed the need to enforce price regulation as market men and women have taken advantage of the current economic situation to exploit the people.
The labour union leader equally called for a special arrangement to convey workers and students in primary and secondary schools to their offices and schools, respectively, saying it would help mitigate the hardship.
Penpushing reports that in his own contributions Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Akeem Lasisi, advocated for workers to work from their homes until the situation improves, while the Joint Negotiation Committee Chairman, Comrade Isa Olude, called for measures that would provide relief to workers and pensioners.
The Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, appreciated the governor for allaying workers’ fears, noting that he has demonstrated capacity and strong will in dealing with issues concerning workers’ welfare and well-being.
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