Coalition seeks improved welfare packages for workers
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhanced security in the state, to establish it as Nigeria’s safest hub to stimulate economic activities.
This was as the National Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Nigeria voiced its solidarity with Nigerian workers, emphasising the need for enhanced welfare measures amid soaring living costs.
Kefas affirmed this commitment in Jalingo, yesterday while hosting a delegation from the African Development Bank (AfDB), in preparation for Phase Two of the Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative.
The governor expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with AfDB, highlighting the regrettable exclusion of Taraba from the initial phase of SAPZ due to misinformation. However, he assured of the state’s full participation in the coming phase, noting its potential to enhance agricultural productivity.
Assuring the AfDB team of his government’s dedication to a conducive environment for the smooth implementation of Phase Two, Kefas welcomed the delegation’s visit as a significant step towards Taraba’s economic advancement.
Leader of the delegation, Bashir Gaya, commended the state government for its decision to embrace the SAPZ project. Recognising Taraba’s vast agricultural potential, he emphasised the importance of harnessing the resources.
THE coalition, expressing concern over the effect of the high cost of living on workers’ salaries, urged the federal and state governments, alongside labour unions, to reconvene for discussions aimed at establishing fair and realistic living wages.
Signed by its state President, Fidelis Nashuka, the groups underscored that “the present remuneration for civil servants falls short of addressing the harsh economic realities.
Commending Kefa’s government for implementing the N30,000 minimum wage, gratuity payments and initiatives like free education, the coalition stressed the necessity for additional measures such as housing capacity-building and retirement preparation packages for a dignified post-service life. The coalition also urged labour unions to revitalise their influence and reclaim their role in shaping government policies.
