Anambra to Double Efforts on IGR to Pay New Minimum Wage

By Ikeugonna Eleke

The Anambra State Government has charged revenue officers to put more efforts to double its N1.4billion internally generated revenue, to meet the new wage bill of the state imposed by the new minimum wage.

Obiano had during a recent meeting with civil servants in the state affirmed that he would be among the first governors to pay the new minimum wage when passed into law.

There are however indications that the state government may increase taxes and levies in the state in order to pay the new minimum wage to its workers.

The state’s Head of Service, Mr Harry Udu, who gave the indication in an interview with journalists in Awka, said the state government’s commitment towards implementing the new minimum wage was unwavering.

He said, ‘Governor Willie Obiano has given marching orders to the Internally Generated Revenue agencies to redouble efforts in raising extra N1.4 bn that will ensure that the promise is kept.

‘Obiano’s pledge in his address to civil servants during the electioneering period to be the first to pay the wage once approved is not a political statement.

‘Obiano remains irrevocably committed to fulfilling the promise of being the first governor that will pay the new wage once approved.’

He said the implementation would help motivate civil servants in the state to perform optimally.

Udu said that Government was focused on making arrangements to move to the new minimum wage without having challenges in the legacy of the governor.

‘Efforts are being made to get additional revenue to sustain the practice of workers receiving salaries on the 25th of every month,’ he said.

The Head of Service said the directive on the financial implication of the N30,000 minimum wage and other options being considered were being handled, so as to have a seamless transition.

Udu said since the Nigerian Senate had approved the wage increase, efforts were in top gear to ensure that the promise was actualized, once President Muhammadu Buhari gave assent to the bill.

‘Once all those processes are done, then the promise will be achieved after due calculations,’ he assured.