Enugu Gov. establishes committee to oversee minimum wage implementation

On Thursday, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State officially established a committee to oversee the implementation of the New National Minimum Wage in the state. The committee, chaired by Kenneth Ugwu, the Head of Service, will be supported by Sandra George, a representative from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, who will serve as Secretary.

Governor Mbah has set a deadline of one month for the committee to deliver its report.

The committee comprises key officials including Dr. Nathaniel Uramah, Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development; Chika Ugwuoke, Commissioner for Labour and Employment; and Mr. Anthony Okenwa, the state’s Accountant-General. Additionally, representing the labor sector are Fabian Nwigbo, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Enugu State chapter, and Benedict Asogwa, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Enugu State chapter.

In his address, Governor Mbah urged the committee to engage extensively with relevant stakeholders, particularly Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, to ensure broad support for the final report. He reaffirmed his dedication to enhancing workers’ welfare, emphasizing that the success of their ambitious targets hinges on a motivated workforce.

He noted, “We set ambitious goals and understand that achieving them depends on our human resources. Our visions and goals are only achievable with a motivated workforce. That’s why we introduced wage awards and committed to transitioning to the new minimum wage even before discussions on it began.”

Governor Mbah highlighted the significance of the committee’s formation, expressing confidence in its carefully chosen members to execute their responsibilities effectively.