Announces N25,000 pay raise
Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that Nigerians must endure hardship today for a glorious future.
This is as he announced N25,000 pay rise for the least paid federal workers to help cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
The President who stated this during his nationwide 63rd Independence Anniversary speech said the current hardship in the country were necessary sacrifices for greatness.
Tinubu said he was pained by the economic hardship in the country but urged Nigerians to be patient with his administration.
“There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.”
He said frantic efforts were being made by his administration to address the challenges of the country.
“My government is doing all that it can to ease the load. I will now outline the path we are taking to relieve the stress on our families and households.
“We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilise the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.”
He announced N25, 000 pay rise for the least paid federal worker to help cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.
“Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.”
He also announced the setting up of infrastructural trust fund to help address infrastructural deficit in the country.
“To ensure better grassroots development, we set up an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas. States have already received funds to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices.
“Making the economy more robust by lowering transport costs will be key. In this regard, we have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.”
