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Minimum wage: Buhari never mentioned any figure – Femi Adesina

Published

6 years ago

November 8, 2018

Femi Adesina , the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari didn ’ t give a specific figure when the report of the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee was presented on Tuesday .
In a statement , he released on Thursday , via his Facebook page , Adesina said , the Presidency was concerned about the reports that Buhari had backtracked on his promise to pay the new N 30 , 000 demanded by labour .

Part of the statement read : “ The Presidency is concerned over recurring reports alleging that President Muhammadu Buhari has reneged on earlier acceptance of the N 30 , 000 recommended as the new National Minimum Wage by the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee .
“ These reports are contrary to what transpired on Tuesday when the committee presented its Report to the President . Responding, President Buhari , while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on affordability and labour ’ s focus on meaningful increase , stated clearly in a speech , which was made available to the media :

“ In a way , both arguments are valid . I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas .

“ Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time . I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future .

“ As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission , we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report . I , therefore , would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks . ”

“ From the above , and throughout the report -submission ceremony , the President never mentioned any figure. What he committed himself to was a new minimum wage , and only after the Report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent .

“ Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of law -making , President Buhari , who is a stickler for due process , will not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy , which amounts to putting the cart before the horse and hair- splitting . ”