Governor Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State on Wednesday said it was no longer sustainable for his administration to pay the N18,000 minimum wage to workers due to the economic reality of the country.
He stated this while presiding over a forum with critical stakeholders aimed at chatting a way forward for the state.
He said: “Considering the fall in the price of oil which has affected the monthly allocation from Federal Government, it is no longer sustainable to pay the N18,000 minimum wage.’’
He said that there was the need for the forum to review the exercise in line with the present economic reality in the country.
The stakeholder Forum has the theme “Way forward is”.
Al-Makura said that the forum would provide a platform for heart -to-heart discussion on how to fashion out solutions to the present economic challenges confronting the state and the nation at large.
“This forum is very key because it will go a long way in assisting the state government to improve on its service delivery to the people of the state.
“When I was elected in 2011, I made a covenant to better the life of the people of the state, and I will not relent in doing so.”
The governor recalled that his administration was among the first states of the federation to implement the new national minimum wage and also advocated for better welfare for its workers.
He, however, reinstated his administration’s continued commitemnt to place high premium on developmental programmes that would enhance the people’s wellbeing.
The governor also assured the people that his administration would be fair to all and ensure speedy transformation in terms of human and infrastructure development.
He said the government would do everything humanly possible to change the lives of the people by providing them with good roads and other infrastructure.
