Delta reiterates commitment to payment of new minimum wage ~ Truth Reporters

Delta State Government has reiterated its determination to pay the new minimum wage and ensure its sustainability.

The Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, stated this recently on a radio programme, “Trend Talk” on Trend 100.9 FM in Asaba.

Sir Tilije who was fielding question from the interviewer, Nnamdi Atupulazi on the issue of the minimum wage, stated that before now, Governor Okowa had promised to pay the new minimum wage immediately the federal government and labour agreed on what was to be paid.

According to the finance commissioner, the state government would sustain the payment of the new minimum wage by improving on the tax level of the state and also use the increase in VAT from 5% to 7.5% by the federal government.

The Commissioner said, “So far so good what the state has is enough to sustain the payment of the new minimum wage,” adding that Delta State was among the first to commence the payment of the new minimum wage in the country.

Sir Tilije revealed that the payment of the new minimum wage had made the state wage bill to increase with N742 million.

He also stated that Governor Okowa was a labour-friendly governor who would do everything possible to make workers happy.