George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), revealed on Thursday that the government is gearing up to announce a new minimum wage for civil servants.
Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu at a ceremony marking the launch of a new presidential initiative for women’s empowerment, expressed optimism that positive changes are on the horizon.
Commending the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for its efforts in promoting gender equality, Akume encouraged Muslims and Christians to utilize the Lenten period and the upcoming Ramadan to offer prayers for the country and its leadership.
Highlighting the nation’s intricate federal structure, Akume emphasized the potential for collaborative efforts among the three tiers of government to enhance the well-being of the citizens.
He announced that the introduction of more Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and preparations for a new minimum wage are key components of the government’s transformative agenda.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had recently staged a nationwide protest, asserting that the federal government failed to fulfill agreements made with organized labor.
These agreements encompassed the provision of CNG vehicles, a cash transfer program, and an increase in the minimum wage.
In August 2023, the federal government committed to investing N100 billion by March 2024 to acquire 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-powered buses.
An additional N130 billion was allocated for CNG conversion and electric vehicles in December. However, updates on the progress of these projects have been limited.
The Senate Committee on Gas raised concerns, stating that the N100 billion earmarked for CNG buses requires approval from the National Assembly.
This revelation followed a request to Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance, for detailed information on the project’s funding.
March is also the month designated for talks between the federal government and labor unions regarding the new minimum wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress had previously demanded N794,000 as the new national minimum wage for workers in the south-west zone.
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