Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved a new minimum wage of ₦75,000 for state workers, effective November 2024.
The governor made the announcement following a meeting with representatives of organised labor on Monday, November 18, in Makurdi.
A statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, confirmed that the new wage would replace the existing minimum wage structure, reflecting the administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare.
Governor Alia also assured workers that the remaining three months of the five-month salary arrears, which had been promised by his administration, would be paid as planned in the 2024 budget.
These arrears will be paid alongside the new minimum wage.
“We decided to set the minimum wage at ₦75,000, fully aware of the concerns raised by organised labor during our negotiations,” Alia said.
“These included requests for a ₦30,000 minimum wage, wage awards, transportation allowances, tax relief, and work-off days.”
He also noted that the federal government had approved ₦70,000 as the national minimum wage, but his administration had chosen to exceed that amount in consideration of the concerns voiced by labor representatives.
The governor reiterated his administration’s dedication to serving the people of Benue, emphasising that the decision to clear the arrears was motivated by a desire to alleviate the hardships faced by workers.
Alia assured that his government would continue to prioritize the well-being of the state’s workforce.
