Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has announced a new minimum wage of N40,000 for workers in the state. The governor made the announcement during the Workers’ Day celebration held at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Governor Otu emphasized that the implementation of the new wage reflects the current realities in the state, taking into consideration the financial challenges faced by Cross River State, including low statutory federal allocation and an unfavorable state GDP to debt servicing ratio. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the payment of salaries, workers’ wages, and pension entitlements as a first-line charge.

Regarding the backlog of gratuity dating back to 2014, Governor Otu appealed for patience from retired workers, assuring them that the government is in the process of finalizing arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity.

The governor highlighted that the theme for this year’s Workers’ Day, “People First,” aligns with his administration’s mantra. He expressed his willingness to take actions aimed at alleviating the suffering of workers, including the payment of a living wage. Governor Otu assured the workers that his government is determined to bring smiles to their faces and improve their well-being.