Gov. Ododo
…Grants Tax Relief on Salaries
In a historic move, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo yesterday approved a minimum wage of N72,500 for the state’s workers, surpassing the federal government’s minimum wage by N2,500.
The governor’s decision was made after receiving a report from the Kogi State Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, headed by Elijah Avenemi, the state’s Head of Service. The committee was established on September 17 to review the state’s minimum wage.
Governor Ododo emphasized his commitment to improving the welfare of all workers in the state, stating that he aims to allocate resources fairly and equitably. “I cannot forget where I came from. I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God and will not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people,” he said.
In addition to the increased minimum wage, Governor Ododo also granted tax relief to all workers in the state for the next year. This means that there will be no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or any other deductions from workers’ salaries for the next 12 months.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi State, Gabriel Amari, praised Governor Ododo’s efforts, describing him as the best workers’ friendly governor the state has ever had. “We commend the governor for his proactive approach to workers’ welfare,” Amari said.
Amari also expressed surprise at how quickly the implementation committee arrived at the new minimum wage, considering that some states have yet to establish their committees. “This is a testament to the governor’s commitment to improving the lives of workers in Kogi State,” he added.
[REFMEDIAGIST]
