Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has expressed his administration’s readiness to implement the N70,000 minimum wage once resources are available. He made this statement during an interview after opening the 2024 quadrennial state delegate conference of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Minna on Wednesday.
Represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, Bago emphasized that the state government is prepared to act as soon as the minimum wage is implemented at the national level. “The issue of minimum wage is a done deal. As far as funds are available, we will not hesitate to ensure its implementation in the state,” he stated.
Bago also revealed that the backlog of health workers’ salaries had been cleared and that the government was renovating 100 healthcare facilities to create a better working environment. He noted that the state has consistently paid counterpart funds and established the Ministry for Primary Healthcare Development to prioritize the welfare of health workers.
The governor thanked union leaders for maintaining a positive relationship with the state government and urged them to continue collaborating. While acknowledging the right of workers to demand their entitlements, he advised them to recognize the government’s efforts in improving their welfare.
He also encouraged the incoming MHWUN executives to put members’ interests above personal ones.
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In his address, Abdullahi Erena, the state chairman of MHWUN, highlighted the union’s challenges, including the global pandemic, economic uncertainties, healthcare demands, and banditry, but reaffirmed its commitment to healthcare service delivery.
National MHWUN President Dr. Kabir Sani called on Nigerians to oppose the recent fuel price increase and urged the government to reverse it. Similarly, Niger NLC Chairman Malam Idris Lafene called for unity among unions and condemned the rise in fuel prices and electricity tariffs.
