Fubara Approves N85,000 Minimum Wage for Rivers Civil Servants

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a new minimum wage of N85,000 for civil servants under the state government’s employment.

The decision was reached during a closed-door meeting chaired by the governor at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Representatives of organized labor under the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council also attended the meeting.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Dr. George Nwaeke, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, confirmed the approval and announced that the new wage would take effect in November 2024.

Nwaeke noted that a technical committee had been set up to work on the payment of arrears, ensuring the smooth implementation of the policy.

“HE, Governor Fubara has pronounced a figure that is higher than the national minimum wage—N85,000,” Nwaeke stated.

“As the Head of Service and a major stakeholder in the labor sector, I am proud to say that civil servants in Rivers State have never had it this good since the inception of the state.”

He added, “The committee, which I will serve on as Deputy to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), will finalize the arrears payment plan and communicate the details to the press later.”

The Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council in Rivers State, Emecheta Chuku, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, describing the N85,000 wage as a mark of goodwill towards workers.

“For the governor to make such a commitment, despite the challenges he faces, is heartwarming,” Chuku said. “We are confident in his leadership.

He is someone who understands what it means to earn a living wage that sustains workers throughout the month.”

Similarly, the Rivers State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Alex Agwanwor, emphasized that Rivers now stands alongside Lagos State with the highest minimum wage in the country.

“Lagos State announced N85,000, and Rivers is paying the same, despite having a smaller Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base,” Agwanwor remarked.

“This demonstrates the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare.”

He continued, “Governor Fubara has proven once again that he is the most labor-friendly governor in Nigeria. We stand with him and will continue to support his administration for the next eight years.”

Agwanwor also praised the governor for earning recognition from the labor community, noting that Fubara had previously been awarded the title of “Champion of Labour” during the last May Day celebrations.