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Buhari Signs N30,000 Minimum Wage Bill Into Law …Implementation Takes Immediate Effect Saraki, Sani Hail Action
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, signed the National Minimum Wage Bill into law.
Explaining the details of the law, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, said it was compulsory for all employers of labour in Nigeria to pay their workers the sum of N30,000, adding that this excludes persons who are employing less than 25 workers; persons who work in a ship which sail out of the jurisdiction; persons who are in other kinds of regulated employments are excepted by the Act.
Enang, who disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja said that the Minimum Wage Repeal and Enactment Act, 2019 has replaced the existing one.
The Senate had on March 19, approved N30, 000 as the new national minimum wage with an appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on assent and implementation.
The House of Representatives had earlier passed the bill before the National Assembly shut down its operations to enable lawmakers to participate in the 2019 general elections.
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, had last Saturday given May 1 as the deadline for the President to sign the new minimum wage.
Enang said, “It also gives the workers the right if you are compelled by any circumstance to accepting a salary that is less than 30,000 for you to sue your employers to recover the balance.
“It authorises the Minister of Labour and any person nominated by the minister of labour or any person designated by the minister of labour in any ministry, department or agency to on your behalf take action in your name against such employer to recover the balance of wages.
“It also ensures and mandates the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and the minister of labour to be the chief and principal enforcers of the provisions of this law; and this law applies to all agencies and persons and bodies throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The effective date is April 18, 2019, as Mr President has assented to; it has been assented to and it takes effect today except for such other provision as are contained in the Act.”
Enang said that the enforcement and the right to start the implementation of the provisions commenced immediately including such steps that would be taken gradually under the provisions of the Act.
He urged Nigerian workers to celebrate President Buhari and support his administration and policies.
The senior special assistant said that the administration would come out and march together with Nigerian workers and Workers Day.
“Mr President will celebrate with workers and the Federal Government will celebrate. This is Mr. President showing workers the love he has for them and we will march with the Nigerian workers.”
Asked if the new minimum wage covers the National Youth Service Corps, Enang said, “It covers all persons covered by the Act.”
However, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted as President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-enactment Bill, 2019 into law.
Reacting, Saraki on Twitter, while congratulating Nigerians, said the reviewed wage, which is aimed at increasing the productivity of Nigerian workers, is a good step in the right direction.
He said, “I congratulate Nigerian workers on the assent of the N30,000 minimum wage into law.
“This reviewed wage, which is aimed at increasing the productivity of Nigerian workers, is a good step in the right direction for our nation’s workforce — who are the lifeblood of our dear country.”
Also, the Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, reacted as President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Minimum Wage Repeal and Re-enactment Bill, 2019 into law.
Sani on his Twitter page said Nigerians have won the fight for Minimum Wage.
He wrote: “On the first half of the match, the people scored a goal with the new minimum wage; on the second half, we must strengthen our defence to avert an equalizer through new pump price and a decider through VAT.”
Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the assent given to the new minimum wage bill.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday evening the Head of Information and Publicity, Benson Ukpah, said that labour expects the implementation of the new minimum wage to commence immediately.
“We are delighted by the signing of the new minimum wage Act by the president. We commend him for it and call for the immediate implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage considering that the matter has been pending for so long.
“We urge various governments and employers of labour to commence immediate implementation with arrears, “ he said.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.