Minimum wage: Alia, Akpabio, others asked to collect N62,000 monthly

Charismatic Catholic priest, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has called for the proposed N62,000 national minimum wage to be extended to senators, governors, and House of Representatives members.

Mbaka criticized the substantial allowances allocated to lawmakers while Nigerians continue to suffer.

Following extensive deliberations by the tripartite committee negotiating the new minimum wage, the Federal Government has agreed to pay workers N62,000.

This decision comes after organized labour reduced its demands from N494,000 to N250,000 for the new minimum wage.

Reacting to the development, Mbaka urged the Federal Government to handle the situation with caution to avoid a crisis.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Mbaka said: “If we decide to give labour N60,000 or N62,000, why not extend it to House of Assembly members, senators, and governors?

“They are all civil servants. Are the others slaves? I don’t understand why they receive billions in sitting allowances, wardrobe allowances, newspaper allowances, and hardship allowances.

“The people who should receive such allowances are those suffering in the villages.

“How much are our teachers, nurses, and doctors being paid? Let’s be realistic. Our civil servants, who wake early and return late daily, how much are they being paid?

“Considering the level of inflation in the country, it’s clear we are not sincere.

“I’m pleading with the government that a stitch in time saves nine. This situation must be handled with care because it might be hijacked, and nobody knows the ripple effects.”