ABUJA
– PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Monday ordered the 36 governors to pay workers
their salaries before Christmas so that
workers will have a beautiful
celebration.
The
President therefore directed the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin
Emefiele, the Minister of Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma and the Minister
of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun to negotiate with the governors of the figure
from the Paris Club refund.
These
were parts of the resolutions at the meeting between the President and the
governors of the Paris Club refunds at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Briefing
State House correspondents after the meeting, Chairman of Progressives
Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha flanked by Governor
Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State
said that the meeting centered on the need for workers to be paid their
salaries before Christmas and the 50 percent Paris Club refunds the was
outstanding.
Governor
Olivia said, “It was a brief meeting between the Governors of Nigeria and the
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The discussion centered on basically the end
of the year and the President himself had expressed the need to make sure that
every Nigerian especially the workers have a beautiful Christmas.
“The
issues of the outstanding Paris Club was discussed and that was taken care of
to make sure that workers in various states everywhere in the country get to
celebrate the Christmas.
“We
also used the opportunity to review our working relationship with the President
from the states and we found out that we are in harmony. There is no difference
between us and the president. Everybody seems to be happy working together.
“But
particularly, we commended the president for the miracle of getting Nigeria out
of recession within such a short time. We commended Mr. President and everybody
left quite happy.
“We are looking at getting the balance of Paris Club refund thrashed out once and for all. We also made a request for Mr. President’s approval that the balance should form part of our 2018 budget, because we can’t include it until we are sure that the money is coming. That was also sorted out.
“So,
as it is now, the issue of workers took the centre stage because Mr. President
felt much concerned about those who depend on their salaries to feed their
families and pay their house rent and he had the assurance of governors that we
will meet up those obligations.
“It
was emphasised that states and federal governments must work together to get
Nigeria out of its present economic predicament to make Nigeria a better
society for all of us.”
When
asked whether the President ordered that all salary arrears will be cleared by
each state before Christmas, Okorocha responded, “Yes, with the Paris Club
coming, every state must ensure that workers get their salaries to enable them
enjoy the Christmas. I made it clear.”
Also
asked to clarify his statement to the effect that the 50 per cent of the Paris
Club refund balance will be in the 2018 budget and the resolution to use it to
pay salary arrears this December, he said that there was a meeting of Minimum
Wage Committee and the Federal Government had set up a Minimum wage to address
the issue of salary in line with the ILO.
But
at this juncture, Governor El-Rufai interjected to clarify the position of the
matter.
He
said, “Let me explain. The Paris Club refund figures need to be reconciled.
While the reconciliation process was going on, the President approved that 50
per cent of the original amount be paid to the states.
“The
payment started from last year. We still have balance of the first 50 per cent.
This is what the president said must be paid in time for the state governments
to meet their obligations before Christmas because he is concerned that many
families depend solely on their salaries for rent, for the festive period.
“That
had been decided. The balance of the first 50 per cent is what we are expecting
now before Christmas. The President has approved that and said it must be
paid.”
On
the amount the governors were expecting from the 50 per cent balance, he said,
“I don’t know the amount. I am sure that if you contact the Ministry of
Finance, they can give you the total amount. I only know what my state is likely
to get.
“There
is another 50 per cent that needs to be paid when the figures are reconciled.
The reconciliation is going to be concluded before the end of the year. The
Chief of Staff to the President has ensured that the committee working on the
reconciliation will conclude its work before the end of the year.
“So,
what the governors are requesting from the president is a directive – ‘go ahead
to include the next 50 per cent in the 2018 budget and that is going to be
looked at.’
“Every
state will get its own share of the Paris-Club refund. It will not get more.
Every state has a specific amount that was deducted. That amount may not be
enough to cover the arrears; it may not be, because you cannot get more than
what you are entitled to.
“It
varies from state to state. My state (Karina) has no salary arrears at all. So,
it is a mute issue. Kano doesn’t have salary arrears. Whatever we are getting,
we just continue with our development projects.
“Some
states have salary arrears that are bigger than what they are getting from the
Paris Club refund. Even when they get it, they will not be able to clear the
salary arrears. But it is better to reduce it so that people will have happier
Christmas than nothing at all.”
Source:
Vanguard
ABUJA – PRESIDENT
Muhammadu Buhari Monday ordered the 36 governors to pay workers their
salaries before Christmas so that workers will have a beautiful
celebration.
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
Buhari discussing with
Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos Stateduring the audience the President
had with members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum at the Aso Chambers,
State House, Abuja.27/11/2017
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
Buhari discussing with
Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos Stateduring the audience the President
had with members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum at the Aso Chambers,
State House, Abuja.27/11/2017
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/11/must-pay-workers-christmas-buhari-orders-govs/
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