Inuwa Yahaya, the Governor of Gombe State, has revealed the challenges faced in meeting the N70,000 minimum wage due to the limited allocation to the state.
The recent approval of the minimum wage by President Bola Tinubu came after negotiations with joint labour unions.
During a meeting with stakeholders regarding the planned nationwide #Endbadgovernance protest at the banquet hall of Gombe Government House, Yahaya expressed, “I am unable to fulfill the N70,000 minimum wage, and I believe many other states are in a similar situation.”
Yahaya praised the Federal Government for their donation of rice to the states but expressed dismay over the delayed receipt of these essential supplies in Gombe.
He stated, “We are still awaiting the arrival of the Federal Government’s 20 trucks of rice to Gombe State.”
Nevertheless, he highlighted the state’s dedication to providing assistance to its residents through past palliative distributions and current investments in human capital development, education, health, and agriculture, among other sectors.
Emphasizing the need for peaceful and orderly behavior during protests, Yahaya recognized the crucial roles played by civil society organizations, labour unions, and traders in upholding social stability and economic resilience.
He called for continuous collaboration and dialogues to collectively navigate through these challenging times.
Yusuf Ibrahim, the Chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organizations, presented a list of demands on behalf of Non-Governmental Organizations and urged the governor to disclose the inventory of stored palliatives.