By Isaac Aimurie
There is palpable excitement among civil servants in Edo State as the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, May 27, 2022, made true his May Day promise to increase workers’ minimum wage in the State from N30,000 to N40,000 with effect from this month.
As the new salaries hit the accounts of workers on Thursday evening, a cross-section of workers interviewed expressed their joy over the increased salary, which they said would cushion the effect of the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country.
Nosa Agbonigiarhuoyi, who was employed by the State Government last year, said: “I am excited about the increased salaries by Governor Obaseki, it reveals the personality of the Governor as someone who fulfills his promises.”
He added: “Obaseki has the interest of Edo workers at heart and this step shows that many more good things are yet to come for Edo workers and residents. This should also spur the workers to be diligent in their duty”.
Another employee of the State, Osaigbovo Okundia, said: “It means a whole lot to me because it goes to show that the Edo State government under the watch of Governor Obaseki actually listens to the concerns of the workforce.”
Okundia stressed that “a well motivated workforce will go a long way to deliver improved services. This also means that there is hope for civil servants working in Edo State.
“I am highly elated that Edo is the first State that has responded to the hard times in the country with a 33.3 percent increase in workers’ salaries. It is unprecedented.”
According to Godspower Eguasa, a communications officer in the State, “Obaseki has again demonstrated that what Nigeria needs at this time of our development are men and women who are technocrats, and who can frugally allocate more resources to where the need is greatest.
“With a realistic salary, the dignity that is associated with labour will motivate workers to contribute significantly and own the development process.
“We are happy to have a governor like Obaseki at this time in Edo State because while many States are still playing politics with paying the old N30,000 minimum wage, Obaseki has gone ahead to show his strength in resource management by approving N40, 000 for workers.”
“Edo State is not the richest State in Nigeria in terms of crude oil wealth and internally generated revenue, but our Governor has shown that you do not need all the money in the world to properly manage a State, what is needed is capacity,” he added.
