Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has declared a new minimum pay of N40,000 for employees in the state. During the Workers’ Day celebration in Calabar’s U.J. Esuene Stadium, the governor made this news.
Otu disclosed that the payment of salaries, workers’ wages, and pension entitlements continues to be prioritised as a first-line charge under his administration. Otu claimed that the new wage implementation coincides with the realities of the time in the state rather than attitudes.
Because of Cross River State’s unique financial situation—which is exacerbated by an unfavourable state GDP to debt servicing ratio and low statutory federal allocation—the new pay implementation is in keeping with current circumstances rather than personal preferences, he stated.
The governor, who stated that “government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers,” made an appeal for patience about the state’s 2014-dated gratuity backlog.
He stated that the subject for this year’s Workers’ Day is “People First,” which coincides with my administration’s credo. “As a result, I am eager to support any measure that may alleviate the workers’ suffering. One such measure is the payment of a living wage to workers.
May I, therefore, announce unequivocally that the government of Cross River announces, under my leadership, is willing and ready to put smiles on the faces of its employees and in accordance with the season of sweetness that characterises my administration’, the governor continued.