Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has approved the payment of the new N70,000 national minimum wage to workers in the state.

Sagir Musa, the commissioner for information, youths, sports and culture, disclosed this to journalists in Dutse on Saturday.

He said that Mr Namadi made the pronouncement on Friday after receiving the report from the state’s minimum wage committee led by Muhammad Dagacire, the head of service.

“I’m delighted to shed more light on the announcement made by Gov Umar Namadi earlier yesterday, in which he expressed the commitment of the state government to implement the new minimum wage recommended by the federal government.

“The Jigawa State Government has earlier set up a committee and the committee has deliberated and came up with advice to the state government where it found necessary to go like any other state to implement the new minimum wage.

“That was the exact announcement made by the governor yesterday. So we are looking forward to seeing how the state government will make adequate preparations for the successful implementation of the new minimum wage like other states,” Musa said.

On the expected date for payment of the new minimum wage, the commissioner said: “The Jigawa workers will soon have the verdict from the committee’s conclusion because this is something that’s new and something that requires adequate preparations and the government has to do a lot in order to ensure successful implementation.

“I cannot give you a precise date, but I’m sure that the government will soon announce it as it works assiduously to implement it,”.

He, however, called on workers in the state to reciprocate the gesture by dedicating themselves to duty as to whom much is given much is expected. 

(NAN)