N100,000 Minimum Wage Unrealistic, I Can’t Afford To Pay My 4 Drivers -SGF Akume Laments

Amid the ongoing discussions to upgrade the present minimum wage structure, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has decried the new minimum wage demands of the organised labour.

Addressing the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Akume highlighted his financial difficulties, such as his inability to pay each of his four drivers N100,000 a month

The former Benue state governor appealed to the Christian community for support as the tripartite Committee on minimum wage continues with negotiations.

In his address, Akume stated, “I can’t afford to pay my drivers N100,000 each because they are four of them, along with other dependants. Labour initially demanded N600,000, which equates to approximately N9.9 trillion for the federal government. Where do we get that money from? Then labour reduced it to N400,000, which still amounts to over N5 trillion. We are asking for understanding because we simply cannot meet these demands.

READ: Presidency Dismisses N105,000 Minimum Wage

Akume outlined several measures the government is taking to address current hardships and also cautioned labour not to make decisions that would jeopardize the efforts of the Tinubu-led administration.

He said, “We took over in a very turbulent weather. Foreign reserves were zero, but there have been massive reforms carried out by the President. One of them, which appeared to be a little bit tough for people to understand, is the subsidy removal of fuel. People should stop shouting; they need to know the actual truth.”

The SGF emphasized that the current administration has taken swift action in implementing palliatives to cushion the effects of these reforms.

“We are all aware of the N35,000 wage award for workers, which means a N30,000 minimum wage with N35,000 on top of that. Additionally, N100 billion for CNG fuel buses will help reduce transportation costs and food prices.”

Akume also highlighted the government’s efforts in supporting various sectors, including the allocation of N125 billion in conditional grants and financial inclusion for medium and small enterprises, and N150 billion in palliative loans to states to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

“We are providing N200 billion to support the cultivation of hectares of land, which is even more now,” he added.

Addressing recent disruptions, Akume condemned the shutdown of the national grid, labeling it as a treasonable offence.

“Nowhere in the world has labour ever tampered with the national grid. It is treason! Treasonable felony is economic sabotage, you don’t do that. We are trying to rebuild the economy. The President is picking up, and they want to destroy it. Of what use is that to all of us? That is not the way”, he said.