The candidate of All Progressive Congress, Dr. Chris Ngige, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Willie Obiano and Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party Friday agreed with the organized labour to implement the much argued minimum wage across all cadres if elected Anambra State Governor come November 16.
The candidates, who also promised to upgrade the state broadcast media, (ABS) and recall the 148 staff of ABS sacked early this year by the Governor Peter Obi-led administration, stated in Awka during an interactive session with party standard bearers that workers welfare will be their priority..
Some of the candidates who attended the interactive session included Senator Chris Ngige of APC, Willie Obiano of APGA, Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party, Basil Iwuoba of PPN and Jide Emodi of UPP.
The debate was jointly organized by the Anambra State Nigeria Labour Congress (NIC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).
According to Ngige: ?When I was the Governor here in 2003, civil servants get their salaries as and when due. Some governors describe pensioners as dead woods but I revived them and paid them their pensions because I know that civil servants are the engine room of any government. I will implement the minimum wage across board and I will do a relativity skill, based on creativity, I hope to increase the IGR of this state. This government refused to respect the court judgment which I will do as soon as we come to power. The fate of the 6,000 workers Obi is recruiting now, well, I will not sack them because it is not in my character.?
For the APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano: ?I will use my contacts and calculator as a chattered account to make Labour happy and for the sacked ABS staff and the staff of Water Corporation, I will review their case and bring them back.
?My government will pay workers the minimum wage within the first 6 months. I will raise the fund through IGR by tightening up the loopholes in the collection of the IGR. I will not increase the tax but will be prudent in management of the resources. For the fate of the 6, 000 workers, it is not on exercise for an election as people alleged but on exercise to continue with the final push.?
Candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah says he will better the lots of workers as the highest employer of Labour.
His words: ?I understand that there is no continuity in the implementation of the minimum wage. I am in the highest employer of labour among all the candidates.
?I will pay above minimum wage because I am sure of getting over 10 billion monthly from IGR. I will use my contact to get two power plants which will generate power. ?We will generate over five million. I hope to network Anambra State. I will make Onitsha an inland control terminal to increase the fortunes of our traders and make more money for the state. I don?t support boreholes; I will restore the sacked ABS staff and Anambra State Water Corporation.?
