The Edo Government began the payment of the N70,000 new minimum wage to workers in the state this month in fulfillment of the promise to increase the minimum wage from May, 2024.
It would be recalled that Gov. Godwin Obaseki had, during the inauguration of the Labour House in Benin, announced the increment in workers’ minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000.
Obaseki said the increment was to reflect the current economic realities of the country and cushion the impacts of the harsh economy on the people of the state.
In a statement, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage to workers would had demonstrated the commitment of the Obaseki-led administration to the welfare of Edo workers.
“The Edo government has paid the May salaries of workers in the state, reflecting the implementation of the N70,000 new minimum wage.
“This is in fulfillment of the promise made by Obaseki.
“It is also in furtherance of the commitment of the state government to meet its statutory obligations even before the end of the month,” he said.
The commissioner urged the workers to be committed to their duties to reciprocate the gesture by the state government.
Obaseki takes free rice distribution to Edo Central
Gov. Godwin Obaseki has commenced the distribution of rice to some residents of Edo Central Senatorial District as a way of cushioning the effect of the current economic hardship in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution is being done in collaboration with the state chapter of the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN).
While kick-starting the exercise on Sunday in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, Obaseki said the move was the government’s way of meaningfully touching the people’s lives
“This move is to alleviate the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy on the people, we understand the challenges being faced by the people.
”The state government provided the funding while the various religious leaders are driving the process through churches and mosques,” he said.
The governor said that the gesture was to provide support to the most vulnerable in the society.
He said that the first phase of the programme would target no fewer than 60,000 vulnerable individuals
According to him, the initiative has the potential to make significant difference in the lives of people in need.
Obaseki said that he called religious leaders in the state to a meeting and shared the idea with them.
“I did this because I did not want it to be political, I did it for God and not for politics, so I didn’t involve government officials.
“I will give N1billion every month for three months in the first phase, let’s see how many people we can feed, ” he said.
Earlier in his address, the state chairman of CAN, Apostle Irekpono Omoike, thanked the governor for the gesture, and described the programme as the ‘first of its kind in the state’
Omoike said that 3,000 bags of 10kg rice was distributed to churches in each of the 18 local government areas, amounting to 54,000 bags.
According to him, the balance of 6,000 bags will be given to churches that are not registered with CAN.
