Instead of putting more money in people’s pocket as a result of he coronavirus lockdown, the Gombe state government has used the disease as excuse to suspended the payment of N30,000 minimum wage, reverting to the previous wage scale of N18,000 “owing to the economic impact of the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.”
The suspension was announced on Saturday by Manassah Jatau, deputy governor of the state and chairman of the standing committee on implementation of the new N30,000 minimum wage.
Jatau told journalists that the decision was informed by the recessionary effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy.
He said, “The ministry of finance is to review the 2020 budget in order to reflect the reduction in the price of oil in the international market and subsequent adoption of $30 per barrel bench mark by the federal government.”
According to him, the suspension of the implemented minimum wage and its consequential adjustment is with effect from March.
Jatua added that his committee is working on a downward review of salaries of all political appointees and permanent secretaries in the state.
He also claimed that the government is taking cost-cutting measures to reduce waste and to create savings for execution of necessary projects.
CHECKPOINTCHARLEY 