13th March, 2020
In order to achieve a hitch-free implementation of the new minimum wage, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Kwara, Mr Nasiru Kola-Olumoh, has suggested that revenue collectors employed by the 16 local government councils in the state be allowed to collect revenue on behalf of their councils.
Nasiru-Olumoh made the suggestion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on how the Kwara Government can implement the N30,000 minimum wage to all civil servants in the state.
According to the TUC chairman, the collection of revenue by local councils revenue officers would enable the councils ascertain accurate fund needed monthly for the full implementation of the minimum wage for workers.
He described as anomalous a situation where revenue for local councils are being handled by the state internal revenue service.
Nasir-Olumoh expressed optimism that all the 16 local government councils would have the ability of paying the new minimum wage, if they have financial autonomy.
He therefore advised the 16 local government councils in the state to cut all unnecessary expenses and sharp practices by revenue collectors in order to meet the implementation of the new wage.
“The local government revenue collectors must be proactive in revenue collection to meet the implementation of the new wage,” he said.
According to NAN, Kwara State is yet to commence implementation of the new minimum wage as a result of fear that the local councils might be unable to pay.