Minimum Wage: See What Southern Governors Advocate for Partaninng to Payment
Governors from southern Nigeria, convened under the Southern Governors’ Forum, have proposed that each state should determine its minimum wage based on its financial capacity and the cost of living within its jurisdiction. This suggestion was part of a communique released after their meeting on Monday, June 25, 2024, in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.
The forum issued a 16-point communique emphasizing the need for enhanced fiscal federalism and the devolution of powers. They voiced concerns over the current practice of issuing mineral licenses and conducting explorations without involving state governments, which has led to criminal activities, environmental degradation, and a lack of remediation efforts or revenue sharing.
The governors highlighted the necessity of improving the power supply in their economically and industrially significant region. They urged states to leverage recent constitutional amendments allowing them to regulate, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, including exploring renewable energy sources.
The forum resolved to embark on an aggressive energy transition plan, shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and eventually Electric Vehicles (EVs). This move aims to reduce transportation costs, subsequently lowering the cost of food, goods, and services for residents.
They also called on the Federal Government to repair and reconstruct major roads and transfer some roads to states willing to manage them. The governors praised President Tinubu for initiating the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which spans eight southern states, promising job creation, reduced travel time, and enhanced trade and investment opportunities.
The communique revealed plans to commission a regional multimodal transport master plan, enhancing connectivity across rail, road, air, and water transportation to facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services, thus improving business efficiency.
The Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) will be established to outline a comprehensive plan promoting trade, investment, sustainable growth, economic prosperity, social harmony, and food security in the region. The SSDA will collaborate with state investment promotion agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), and other relevant bodies.
The governors reiterated their commitment to advocating for state police, citing the success of regional community-based security outfits in intelligence gathering. They stressed the importance of unity and collaboration among southern states to foster trade, partnerships, and investment.
The forum members expressed appreciation for President Tinubu’s economic reforms and food palliative support, pledging their continued support. They unanimously elected Prince Dapo Abiodun as the Forum’s Chairman and Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as Vice Chairman. The communique concluded with a decision to hold quarterly meetings, rotating among member states.
