By 
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming general election in Kwara State, Alhaji Abdullahi Yaman, on Wednesday said Kwara workers deserve better pay and promised to increase the minimum wage to N100,000 if elected as Governor.
Yaman expressed this during a debate organised for the governorship candidates of political parties by the labour union under the banner of ‘Joint Kwara Labour Congress’ held at the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) hall, located at Asa-Dam area of Ilorin, Kwara State Capital.
Speaking, the PDP candidate said the initial N30, 000 minimum wage is not enough to take care of basic needs of workers who he said deserved an improved salary.
”Kwara workers deserve a better pay. I will ensure they earn N100, 000 minimum wage for a better life,” he said.
Yaman also said pensioners’ welfare will be put into consideration, adding that every pensioner will undergo business training prior to their retirement age.
Also, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Prof. Shuaib Abdulraheem Oba, pledged productive collaboration with workers, said it’s key to wealth creation.
“By now, we should have grown beyond minimum wage and be talking of other incentives, the take home is only a minor proportion and by the grace of God when I become governor, we will seat down with a labour union and work it out to move the society forward.
NNPP candidate also talked on the need for functional local government system for people at the Grassroots to enjoy dividends of democracy.
“We need functional local government to operate a bold economy in the state. I will focus on how to improve our local government system” he said.
On his part, the candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Comrade Basambo Abubakar promised a better life for workers under his administration.
He gave an assurance to drive Kwara towards agricultural revolution with full mechanization.
”My targets are youths and Kwara workers. Labour Party will make Kwarans smile again. We want our youths to be self dependent.” he said.
Also, Barrister Salman Magaji, the candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) said he will ensure fully secured environment in Kwara.
He also pledged to make Kwara more attractive and save for investors to invest in state.
”Kwara under my watch will become a commercial /industrial hub that will attract enough investors to patronize the state,” he promised.
Meanwhile, the candidates of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) were absent at the event.
Speaking with journalists after the debate, the state NLC chairman, comrade Issa Ore, said “debate like this has been our usual practice in the labour cycle, when it’s time for the election, we invited all the governorship candidates of the political parties irrespective of status, this is to enable workers to know all the candidates in terms of packages and programmes they have for them and Kwarans.
“We have listened to them and it’s now left to workers to determine who to vote for, we can not dictate to workers on who to vote for,” he said
Comments