In the ongoing debate regarding the minimum wage for workers, the national chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, has called upon President Bola Tinubu to promptly reduce the cost of governance. Specifically, he implored the president to issue an executive order to decrease the earnings of elected officials and government appointees by 50 to 80 percent.
The party chairman also urged the president to implement measures akin to those introduced by former military President Ibrahim Babangida to alleviate the hardships experienced by Nigerian workers. Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, Nwanyanwu emphasized the stark contrast between the extravagant earnings of a select few and the economic hardships faced by the majority.
Questioning the rationale behind lawmakers receiving monthly sums ranging from 20 to 60 million naira, the ZLP chairman argued that individuals aspiring to hold legislative positions should be responsible for their own transportation and accommodation in Abuja. He emphasized that numerous Nigerians are willing to serve without the need for such costly provisions.
Nwanyanwu underscored the urgency of addressing the needs of workers and reducing governmental expenditures to promote a more just and sustainable economic landscape in Nigeria. Drawing on historical examples, he cited initiatives during Babangida’s administration, such as the provision of 100 buses to the Nigerian labor force and the allocation of 100 million naira to key states, aimed at easing transportation challenges and mitigating the effects of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP).
Additionally, Nwanyanwu recalled the large-scale housing projects initiated by former President Shehu Shagari, which benefitted millions of civil servants and workers nationwide. He emphasized that workers’ needs encompass more than just salary increments, extending to housing, education, healthcare, and transportation. He urged labor leaders to take these factors into consideration during negotiations.
Furthermore, Nwanyanwu appealed to Tinubu to supply buses to labor leaders at the state level to ensure affordable transportation for workers, while also emphasizing the importance of avoiding another labor strike.
