FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
An Edo Socio-political group, Concerned Edo Citizens Forum (CECF) has called on the Ahmed Tinubu led federal government to review downwards the salaries and emoluments of political office holders, noting that such an action will be the only way to assuage the determination of the Nigerian workers to mellow down their demand for what he described as outrageous.
In a statement signed by Comrade Roy Oribhabor, Convener of the (CECF) and Osas Felix Osagie, Director, Publicity and Mobilization and made available to newsmen in Benin City, Wednesday, 5 June also appealed to the labour unions to show understanding in their demand for a new minimum wage.
“We hereby call on the Nigeria Government through the office of the Federal Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, to immediately review downwards the salaries and wages of political office holders in Nigeria.
“Nigeria Government must consider this review at this material time, at least ( 50 percent review of salaries and wages) for all political office holders in Nigeria.
We call on Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to show serious understanding because the demand for pay rise in the name of minimum wage is not the solution, but a problem, because increment in workers salaries will equally affect all the trade balance in Nigeria economy. A loaf of bread will further increase, rubber of garri will skyrocket and payment for goods and services will also embrace monumental dimension, to the level of great frustration; therefore, we call on labour leaders to have a rethink over pay rise for workers but show serious commitment and mobilization for the review of salaries for all political office holders in Nigeria because this is the only way to reduce the predicaments and increase the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
According to them, No amount of increment for workers will rescue the already battered and tattered economy but deliberate policies will help via 50 percent downward review of salaries and wages for political office holders in Nigeria hence, as at today N200,000 ( two hundred thousand naira minimum wage is unrealistic and anti people of Nigeria.
While urging President Ahmed Tinubu to encourage investments in agriculture, the statement pointed out that investing in the agricultural value chain will create employment opportunities for the youths and grow the domestic economy.
“We also call on President Tinubu to instill or inculcate business orientation through agricultural activities to all Nigerians. Over the years Nigeria Government has deliberately ran away from business activities because there was a notion that Government has no business in business. As concerned citizens of Nigeria,we have since discovered that Nigeria Government must demonstrate serious commitment for businesses to thrive.
“We call on Nigerians to remain focus and keep faith alive, despite the hardship and difficulties that have enveloped the land, people must consider their feeding habits and release their mind for better society”.
