By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Network of Civil Society Organisations (NOCSON) has lauded the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for increasing the state’s and public workers salaries from N40,000 to N70,000.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
Comrade Ogbidi said that increment in the workers pay by the state governor in this critical time of the country, deserves commendation and that it will not be out of place if the civil rights group like NOCSON whose responsibility is to hold government accountable to the people still commends the state governor and those who mean well for the masses for doing what is right.
“No doubt, within the civil society space, praises are scarce. While we are known often a time to criticize government policies and programmes when they are not geared towards the benefits of the people, the onus lies on us to also commend same when they are seen to have delivered in line with the expectations of the people.
“On our path as a responsible and objective civil society organisation who stands against injustice, we see it as injustice on our path if we don’t commend the government for doing the right thing.
“Sequel to the above, we wholeheartedly commend the Edo state government led by Mr Godwin Obaseki for awarding N70,000 as minimum wage to civil and public servants in Edo state in the face of global economic meltdown, shortfall in federal allocation, devaluation of the naira and inflation.
“We believe there is no better time to show the workers and indeed, the good people of Edo state how sensitive government should be as regards the plight of its citizenry”, Ogbidi said.
Ogbidi while congratulating the organized labour for being so supportive of the governor, admonished them to reciprocate the gesture of the governor just as he urged other states to emulate the Edo state governor by increasing their workers salaries.
“We also used this opportunity to congratulate Edo state workers for this gesture which amount to a huge sigh of relief on their finance and increase in their purchasing power and standard of living.
“It is also our expectations as tax payers that this gesture should translate to an effective service delivery on the part of the workers as they serve Edo people in return as Kings and Queens for “whom much is given, much is expected.”
“We urge the Edo state government to keep to its promise by implementing this policy effective May 1st, 2024, in totality.
“They must ensure all MDAs, agencies, and others who are expected to be captured are well captured from the first month of its implementation.
“It is our expectations that other sub-national governments in Nigeria should take a clue from their counterpart in Edo state, who has demonstrated so much passion both in reforms and giving its workforce the very best working environment and have remained a pacesetter in the aspect of minimum wage in the country”, Ogbidi added.
