My Gov’t Cannot Pay ₦70,000 Minimum Wage – Gov Yahaya

The Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, has stated that due to the limited allocation to the state, it will be challenging for his administration to implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

Naija News reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved the minimum wage after reaching an agreement with various labour unions.

During a meeting on Tuesday with stakeholders regarding the upcoming nationwide #Endbadgovernance protest at the banquet hall of Gombe Government House, Yahaya mentioned, “I cannot pay the ₦70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”

Yahaya praised the Federal Government for the donation of rice to the states.

However, he expressed worry about the delay in receiving these crucial supplies in Gombe.

He said, “We are yet to receive the Federal Government’s 20 trucks of rice to Gombe State.”

Nevertheless, he underscored the state’s dedication to assisting its residents, highlighting past relief efforts and current investments in various sectors such as human capital development, education, health, and agriculture.

Addressing the protest, Yahaya stressed the significance of peaceful behaviour and recognized the contributions of civil society groups, labour unions, and traders in upholding social order and economic strength.

He urged for ongoing collaboration and discussions to collectively navigate through these difficult circumstances.

Representing Non-Governmental Organizations, the Chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organizations, Yusuf Ibrahim, presented a set of demands and called on the governor to disclose the inventory of relief supplies.