The Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke addressing the press, flanked by labour leaders who are part of the joint negotiating council
According to him, “The decision means a lot not just to civil servants alone, but to the economy of the state.”The decision has come to prove his love for the welfare of the citizens of the State as it is in tandem with his “Rivers money for Rivers People mantra.”
“Everybody knows it is a decision that should be applauded, a national lawmaker, Hon Awaji Inombek Abiante said in an interview, It shows the concerns that Governor Fubara has for the welfare of workers.
Abiante further remarked, “it will lead to the revival of the State Civil Service, boost the morale of workers and have a multiplier effect that would be positive.”
IK Thomas Amadi, a grassroots politician from the Ikwerre Local Government Area said in his reaction, “What the Governor has done for workers in the civil service is good. It shows that he means well for the State.
“However, my worry is what will happen in the marketplace. Is there no way that the government can set up a price control board?”
From Left to right: Hon. Friday Nubari, Stanley Job, Hon. Awaji Abiante, IK Thomas Amadi, Canon Jerry Needam and Gloŕia Harry
Dr Bobo Uchendu Achonwa, an Abuja based businessman had this to say, “The 85,000.00 minimum wage to civil servants in Rivers State by Governor Fubara, is a show of love, compassion and appreciation for Rivers people having in mind that Rivers State is a civil servants state.
“The new pay will trickle down to every household in the state because every family in the state has at least one civil servant.
“The Governor has demonstrated leadership and courage despite political distractions and the harsh economic realities in Nigeria.
Dr Bobo Uchendu Onu“As we eulogize this singular effort demonstrated by HE Sim Fubara, we plead with him to also fill the huge gap in the State Civil Service due to the large number of retirees and dead workers.”
Said Jerry Needam, Publisher of the National Network Newspaper, “The Governor as a former member of that constituency has done well by offering to pay much more than N70,000.00 agreed by the federal government.
“The Governor has also done well in prompt payment of salaries and allowances of civil servants in the state. Another important area is the promotion of backlog of civil servants, who were denied promotion for about 8 years.”
He also noted that “the issue of prompt payment of retirees is also another bold step taken by the Governor, that has put smiles on the faces of retirees.
“The increase in minimum wage and the Governor agreeing to pay N85,000 as against N70,000 offered by the federal government will help to reduce wage dispersion and to channel productivity gains into higher wages and will also contribute to higher
labour productivity.”
Also reacting to the approval of N85,000.00 minimum wage for Rivers workers, Gloria Harry, Publisher of the Africa Update Newspaper stated, “The Governor’s decision to pay ₦85,000 is very exciting and commendable but my worry is the attitude of business owners particularly traders.
“We are all witnesses to what happened the moment talks around minimum wage started. Prices of commodities went off the roof.
“I hope that traders and those doing business won’t see this increase as an opportunity to exploit the masses.”
“The Governor’s gesture will alleviate the sufferings of civil servants whose rewards would have been in heaven like they say about the teachers”, the Publisher added.
For Onatsogunwa Jerry, SA Electronic Media to Governor Fubara, “The N85000 minimum wage by the State Government is the best ever.”
“You can recall that the Federal Government negotiated N70000 minimum wage but in the wisdom of the Governor, he has pronounced N85000”,
“Don’t also forget in a hurry that it was this governor who gave N100, 000 as Christmas bonus to workers last year.
“You can see that after the pronunciation, civil servants were very, very happy. I tell you it is the best ever. He is a worker friendly Governor and he is ready to do more”, Onatsogunwa stressed.
The Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigera Union of Journalists, Stanley Job said the Governor has been worker, noting that he is not surprised by his approval of minimum wage that is higher than what the Federal Government minimum.
“First of all, I will say it’s a thing of joy to have a minimum wage that is higher than what the federal government is paying, and we want to thank Governor Fubara for the kind gesture.
“It was not much of a surprise that, workers in Rivers State will be getting this from the Governor because he has always been worker-friendly as someone who comes from that department.”
He equally added that there is evidence that in reaching that decision, Fubara would have considered how the cost of living has been affecting the wellbeing of workers in the State.
Friday N. Nubari, a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly stated, “His Excellency Sir, Siminalayi Fubara’s approval of N85,000 minimum wage for the Civil servants is a welcome development and a right step in the right direction.
“This will boast the morale of the Civil servants and in turn increase productivity.
Considering the high cost of living coupled with the economic hardship occasioned by the increase in fuel price , I would say the Governor took the right step by increasing the salary of workers who are the engine room of good governance.”
As he further put it, “When the workers are happy they put more into service delivery.
We therefore expect quality service delivery from the civil servants of Rivers State.
“I would however, appeal to His Excellency Sir, Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS to also consider increasing the allowances for the pensioners since they all go to the same market with the civil servants. Welfare for Elder Statesmen and women is very important.”