I CAN'T PAY NEW MINIMUM WAGE NOW - SUSWAM

Benue State Government has said it would not be able to implement the N18,000 minimum wage for its workers except there is an increment in the monthly allocation from the Federal Government.

The state Governor, Dr. Gabriel Suswan said this on Tuesday while swearing in four newly appointed permanent secretaries at the banquet hall of the government house.

He, however, noted that the new minimum wage should not cause any conflict between the state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress and the government.

The governor, who posited that the resources available to the state could not sustain the implementation of the new minimum wage, urged labour leaders to show understanding with the state governments.

The governor gave assurances that his administration would not hesitate to implement the new minimum wage of N18, 000 the moment the state monthly allocation improves.

Daily Sun investigation revealed that the monthly allocation accruing to the state from the Federal Government stands at a little above N2.1 billion while its wage bill as at present is N1.4 billion. The minimum take home pay in the state is N8, 250.00.

Suswam, while charging the newly appointed permanent secretaries, said the appointment was to further strengthen the state civil service.

He noted that his administration would continue to promote the welfare of the workers.

While hinging the appointment of three women out of the four permanent secretaries on his administration commitment to the 35 per cent affirmative action for women, Governor Suswan said three other women, one from each senatorial district, had been nominated as commissioners.