With three months salary arrears civil servants in Lagos State can start the new year on a clean slate.
The state government yesterday declared it readiness to pay three months arrears of the new minimum wage agreement, signed with civil servants in November last year.
Speaking at a Thanksgiving service to mark the beginning of the new year, the state’s deputy governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the workers deserved a living wage for their hardwork.
Hamzat said “We do this because we know this is the best public service in the country. The skill is there and the capability to deliver.”
While promising that the state government is committed to the completion of some major projects like the Blue Line Rail, Red Line and the Bus Rapid Transit, the deputy governor asked the cooperation of the workers to deliver these projects.
He emphasized that in line with the present administration’s commitment to better the lots of Lagosians, the state government has increased budgetary provisions to Works and Infrastructure, Health and Education adding that if Lagos gets everything right, Nigeria will get it right.
Noting the importance and strategic position of Lagos and Nigeria in the socio-economic and political development in Africa, the deputy governor urged public servants to do the right thing, work hard and pray.
“If Lagos don’t do well, Nigeria will not do well and if Lagos do well, Nigeria will do. We are the key to the success of Nigeria and Nigeria is the faith of the Black race. So, we must be upright, do the right thing; obey traffic rules and other regulations,” Hamzat said.
Meanwhile, some civil servants who spoke with the magazine said, the state’s minimum wage is still one of the lowest in the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu has promised to pay the N30,000 minimum wage aapproved by the federal government last year.
