The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for workers across the state, surpassing the federal minimum wage of ₦70,000 recently announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision was made public during a meeting with representatives of organized labor at the State Secretariat on Monday. The announcement was accompanied by a statement from Sir Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, which highlighted additional measures to support workers’ welfare.
Governor Alia emphasized that the new wage was set after considering various demands raised by labor unions. “We are implementing a new national minimum wage of seventy-five thousand naira (₦75,000),” he said. He noted that discussions included concerns about wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days, among other issues.
In his statement, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of Benue workers. He explained that going above the federal minimum wage was a deliberate choice to address labor’s concerns about the state’s economic realities and the cost of living.
Additionally, Alia reassured workers that the remaining three months of a five-month salary backlog would be cleared as planned in the 2024 budget, effective November 2024. The payment of these arrears, he stated, is aimed at alleviating workers’ financial burdens and enhancing their quality of life.
Governor Alia’s move has been widely welcomed as a progressive step in addressing the economic challenges faced by civil servants in the state. The government’s proactive approach reflects its focus on improving living standards and maintaining harmonious relations with labor unions.