Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants under the employ of the Rivers State Government. This decision was reached during a closed-door meeting chaired by the Governor and attended by representatives of organized labour.
The Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, confirmed the approval and stated that implementation will commence in November 2024. A technical committee has been established to develop a feasible payment plan addressing potential arrears.
Nwaeke expressed his satisfaction with the new wage, stating, “The Rivers State Civil Servants have never had it this good since the inception of this State.” He also noted that labour union leaders and stakeholders were pleased with the development.
Rivers State Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Emecheta Chuku, praised Governor Fubara’s gesture, saying, “For the Governor to come, against all the crisis, and say he will pay N85,000.00 minimum wage, I think our hearts are full of joy.”
Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers State Chapter, emphasized that Rivers State now surpasses Lagos State with the highest minimum wage for civil servants in Nigeria. “We are the best, and we want to continue to commend the Governor,” he said.
Agwanwor assured the Governor of labour’s support, stating, “We will be with him even until the next eight years.” He commended Governor Fubara, saying, “He has, once again, proven that the workers in Rivers State gave him an award on May Day as the Champion of Labour, as the Most Labour-Friendly Governor in Nigeria.”
