Governor Yahaya Bello
Three years after the federal government signed agreement with Nigerian Labour Congress for the implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage, the Kogi State Government has said it is still working to implement it in the state.
The government said the plan to implement the new minimum wage is ongoing.
The State Head of Service (HOS), Mrs. Hannah Onyinoyi Odiyo gave the assurance while declaring open, a one day workshop organised by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Kogi Chapter, for its members in Lokoja, on Tuesday.
She reemphasized the State Government’s resolve to sustain enhanced welfare packages for civil servants in the state to boost their productivity on the job.
She promised that Government will sustain regular payment of salaries, pensions and other entitlements currently being enjoyed by its workers to better their living conditions.
She maintained that re-training of staff will also continue to receive topmost priority.
The HOS disclosed that the government had equally embarked on the motivation of workers through empowering them on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to meet up with the modern reality in the discharge of their duties.
“As Civil Servants, you must strive to complement government’s efforts to enhance your well-being by keying into investments that will better your living as well as plan for your retirement in future” the HOS admonished.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Chairman of the Kogi Branch of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Comrade Akeji Aaron called for the quick implementation of the new minimum wage by the state government saying that the none-implementation of the policy is long overdue under the prevailing economic woes in Nigeria.
The Chairman also called on the state government to jettison the rumoured implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Kogi Health Insurance Scheme and give attention to providing those benefits that accrued to civil servants over the years that are yet to be implemented.
In the two papers delivered by the Director of Finance & Administration at Kogi State House of Assembly, Enimola Martins, titled: “Preparing For Retirement: Challenges and Solutions” Public Service Investment: An Essential Basis For Development And A Principal Factor For Achieving Progress And Welfare” identified proper investments as a major tool to have a better and enjoyable retirement life.
The Guest Lecturer enumerated some areas for a lucrative business for the retirees to include; Garri grinding machine services, Kerosine retail sales, Pure water packaging, Rental services, Sales of seasoned foodstuff, vegetable garden, fruit planting, supermarket, barbing saloon as well as tye and dye business amongst others.
Martins also maintained that investment in Human Resources constituted an essential basis for the development of nations and a major ingredient for achieving progress for the nation and welfare for its people.
He urged workers to forge ahead and key into investments that will make them self-sustaining after their retirement from active service.
