By Jonathan Ipaa
The debate for the National Minimum Wage, NMW is gradually moving away from the #62,000 the Tinubu’s presidency is offering to the unnecessary renewal pressure emanating from the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF.
Latest reports said some governors are kicking against the #62,000 minimum wage the Tinubu’s presidency is proposing to the Nigeria workers.
Coming at a time so much monies are being shared to these states from the federation account, a period these same governors are opposing the autonomy of the Local Government administration, at the trying time the purchasing powers of these poor workers is nothing to take them home from their secretariat, the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF might be unwittingly buying a market of hatred, ordinarily they shouldn’t have.
These same governors whose large convoy of more than #300,000,000,00[#300m] per a SUV exalted cars, whose huge propaganda bill boards adorn state capitals, whose huge wage bills and allowances are subject of discourse, whose handling of LGAs joint accounts, etc are being debated at public square, would want to yet, buy another unnecessary bad market.
The NGF are lamenting that the #62,000 proposed NMW could affect their monthly wage bills to the effect that some states will not afford to [not Edo because Gov Obaseki is already implementing #70,000, an #8000 even more than the FG].
These are the same governors who are reluctant to cut down the size of their political aides, number of vehicles, Basic Travel Allowances, wardrobe allowances, side-chick allowances, medical tourism, etc.
These are the same [some though] who are pensioners from their previous public engagements.
These governors should have known that their workers may have been impoverished by their state’s policies but they are rich in thoughts and being loved by Nigerians.
The huge taxes these governors are generating from internally systems, their monthly huge allocations from the federation account are enough to pay their poor workers and still execute priority projects if the cost of governance is cut down to minimal, if the looting is checked, if unnecessary travels with huge convoys are reduced.
Our governors should travel to Edo, ask their colleague, Gov Obaseki how he is doing with a #70,000 monthly wage yet, still executing Edo state priority projects steadily.
Other states paying beyond the FG NMW include Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Lagos.
Gov Umara Zulum of Boko Haram’s devastated Borno still pays minimum wage, and is performing well even better than others.
RANCHING, ECONOMIC GROWTH, PEACE & DEVELOPMENT:
The Nigeria Senate must be commended and encouraged to speed up work on the ongoing Bill on the National Ranching Commission of Nigeria.
The Bill amongst other things, seeks to provide a stable water supply and grazing zone for cattle, generates their feeding, medicare as well as provide shelters for those taking care of these economic animals.
According to the proponent of the Bill, Sen Titus Zam[APC, Benue Zone B], the ranching commission will draw its experts from the ministries of agriculture, water resources, health, environment and the agency responsible for nomadic education in Nigeria.
These experts are expected to ensure the efficiency of both the cows and their herders.
With their steady feeding, these animals are expected to yield high quality milk, healthy meat while the roaming herders receive education on cropping, environment, general health and animal husbandry.
The idea of establishing ranches is to provide a permanent solution to the perennial clashes between farmers and pastoralists which has caused the nation a large number of destruction both in form of human and economic resources.
Dozens of people are currently taking shelters at Internally Displaced camps while dozens of houses, farmlands as well as crops are destroyed.
Understandably, representatives at the National Assembly have advanced their arguments on the debate, hinging on the cons and prons of the commission.
The desire to have a permanent peace and development of our pastoralists and the farming population in Nigeria where both commercial animals and large food production are expanded to boost the nation’s economy.
Public analyts have also traced the current food scarcity, it high cost to the frequent clashes of these major operators in the farming industry.
Politics and personal interest must not be allowed to subvert the laudable objectives of the Ranching Commission Bill.
The 11th National Assembly should act like the decent legislators who really have the interest of both their constituents and the nation’s survival at heart.
On his part, the Tinubu’s presidency must ensure a speedy signing of the Bill into law as soon as it’s ascent is required.
