The governor made this announcement during
the Workers’ Day celebration at the U.J
Esuene Stadium in Calabar.
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has
approved a new minimum wage of N40,000
for workers in the state.
He made the announcement during the
Workers’ Day celebration at the U.J Esuene
Stadium in Calabar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Otu, who said that the new wage
implementation aligns with the realities of the
time in the state rather than sentiments,
revealed that under his administration, the
payment of salaries, workers’ wages, and
pension entitlements continues to be
prioritized as a first-line charge.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Owing to the peculiarity of Cross River State
regarding its lean finances occasioned by low
Statutory Federal Allocation and aggravated by
the unfavorable State GDP to Debt servicing
ratio, the new wage implementation is in line
with the realities of the time rather than
sentiments,” he said.
For the backlog of gratuity in the state, which
dates back to 2014, the governor appealed for
patience, saying, “Government is presently on
the verge of concluding necessary
arrangements for the staggered payment of
outstanding gratuity to its retired workers.”
He stressed that the theme for this year’s
Workers’ Day is “People First,” and
interestingly coincides with my
administration’s mantra.
“Accordingly, whatever action aimed at
alleviating the suffering of the workers is
readily embraced by me. One of such measures
is the payment of a living wage to the
workforce.
ADVERTISEMENT
May I, therefore, state categorically
that the government of Cross River State, under
my leadership, is willing and ready to put
smiles on the faces of its workers and in line
with the season of sweetness which
characterizes my administration,” the governor
added.