The Kebbi government states that it is up-to-date on the payment of the new minimum wage and other entitlements, including gratuities and pensions to retirees, as well as death benefits.

Kebbi’s head of civil service, Malami Shekare, made the clarification on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi while briefing newsmen in reaction to social media reports suggesting otherwise.

Mr Shekare said Governor Nasir Idris was at the forefront of implementing the new minimum wage of N75,000, which is higher than the N70,000 approved by the federal government.

The HoS was reacting to an online report published recently, suggesting that the Kebbi government had defaulted in payment of workers’ entitlements, including the new minimum wage.

“Before the implementation of the new wage, the government held discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress, which recommended N75,000, and the administration accepted. Since then, the government has been paying the new wage unfailingly in a consolidated salary, embedding leave grant, to date.

“The government does not owe any worker salary, pension, gratuity, or death benefits to retirees. On promotion, it is not automatic; workers have to undergo certain processes. In other states, civil servants write examinations, but this is not the case in Kebbi,” he said.

The head of service, however, warned that the government would take legal action against the author of the false social media report. He described the report as false, malicious, and misleading, intended to mislead people.

On his part, the chairman of NLC in the state, Murtala Usman, described the writer of the report as an impostor who did not belong to any union, public or private.

“We asked him what union he belongs to, and he said none. As workers, we have appropriate channels for complaints and agitations through our unions. However, the person posted three letters on social media, addressed to the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad-Chika, the NLC, and general workers.

“He is trying to create industrial unrest in the state, which we shall not allow to happen. Government has been paying workers the new minimum wage, including a leave grant which is embedded in the consolidated salary,” Mr Usman confirmed. 

(NAN)