*Edo workers in shock over five thousand naira (₦5, 000) salary increament by Okpebholo*
By Gidigba Group
Edo INEC-select governor, Monday Okpebholo, has increased with an insignificant five thousand naira (₦5, 000) Edo workers’ salaries; this was made known when workers in the State, gathered to celebrate Workers’ Day, expecting the governor to do something deserving of workers, they were however, left in shock, when the governor in excitement announced a ₦5, 000 increase in their salaries
Many workers were seen walking away from the gathering, disappointed, not knowing whether to celebrate a ₦5, 000 increase or stay silent; “nor be small Obaseki take better pass this one”, some workers whispered in hush tones.
The development has generated laughable reactions across quarters in Edo State; “should we celebrate now or what should we do”?, observers jokingly queried at a hangout spot on Sakponba Road, Benin City.
Immediate past governor Godwin Obaseki, in the first instance, increased workers’ minimum wage from ₦30, 000 to ₦45, 000; shortly after, the former governor jacked it up to ₦70, 000, making Obaseki first governor to pay ₦70, 000 minimum wage in Nigeria, this was at a time when the Country’s economy was at its lowest—Obaseki’s launch of the 70k MW in Edo prompted many other States to do same.
Obaseki’s 70k minimum wage came about, despite huge volume of works, projects, programmes the administrative embarked on across the State, and with prompt salary payment, Edo workers were motivated to work.
Under Okpebholo however, Edo workers are disillusioned, unmotivated and gradually losing touch with the revolutionary reforms of the Obaseki-led administration—and with little or no projects, no programmes, under Okpebholo and increased allocation, workers are left aghast that all they could get from their governor on a special day as May 1 was a paltry ₦5, 000.