The Katsina State Government has taken a decisive step towards implementing the new ₦70,000 minimum wage for civil servants with the inauguration of a high-powered implementation committee.
Deputy Governor, Mallam Faruk Jobe, representing Governor Dikko Radda inaugurated the committee on Friday at the Government House,qqq Katsina.
The committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abdullahi Faskari, has been given a three-week deadline to submit its comprehensive report on the wage implementation strategy.
The committee’s mandate encompasses all categories of workers across the state civil service, local governments, and local education authorities.
A statement by Governor Radda’s Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed declared qq1″This administration recognizes the economic challenges faced by our civil servants in the wake of the fuel subsidy removal,”
The statement revealed that the state Deputy Governor, made the declaration during the inauguration ceremony.
He ( the Deputy Governor) reportedly declared “The formation of this committee demonstrates our commitment to addressing these challenges through a well-structured minimum wage implementation plan with appropriate consequential adjustments.”
The statement further revealed that the committee brings together key stakeholders from various sectors of government and labour, including the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Falalu Bawale; Commissioners for Budget and Economic Planning, Finance, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; the State Accountant General; Chairman of the Revenue Board; and both State and Local Government Auditors General.
According to the statement, the organised labour was represented at the inauguration by the chairpersons of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), while local government interests are represented by the Chairman of ALGON.
In his response, the Committee Chairman, Barrister Faskari pledged to deliver a workable framework within the stipulated timeframe. “We understand the urgency of this assignment and its importance to the welfare of our civil servants,” he stated, adding “Our committee will work diligently to develop comprehensive implementation modalities that serve the best interests of both the workers and the state.”