Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on the federal government to increase the new minimum wage beyond ₦62,000, proposing instead a minimum wage of ₦90,000 for Nigerian workers.
In an interview with Channels Television, Kalu, a former governor, emphasized the need for better treatment of civil servants, citing that the minimum wage has not been raised in the past five years despite ongoing inflation. He stressed that the proposed ₦62,000 is insufficient to meet the basic needs of workers.
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“I’m sure the president has done well in some areas and he also needs to improve in many other areas. I’m a very practical person, I fear nobody and I support the truth,” Kalu stated. “President Tinubu has done so well in some areas, and in some other areas of feeding our people, people are hungry.”
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s successes in certain economic and monetary policies, Kalu pointed out the shortcomings in fiscal policies, particularly in food production. “In fiscal policies, we haven’t grown more food. I want us to grow more food,” he said.
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Kalu’s proposal for a ₦90,000 minimum wage stems from the need to address the economic realities faced by civil servants. “N62,000 cannot do anything. N90,000… and why I’m proposing N90,000 is very simple. We have not increased the minimum wage in five years,” he explained. “The civil servants need good treatment.”
Furthermore, Kalu advocated for local government autonomy, suggesting that local governments should receive their funds directly to ensure efficient administration and development at the grassroots level. “I’m a proponent that local governments should be getting their money fully,” he added.
Kalu’s remarks highlight a broader call for substantial economic reforms to address the pressing needs of Nigerian workers and enhance the overall well-being of the populace.
