Nasarawa to Introduce Development Levy to Boost IGR

Igbawase Ukumba

The Nasarawa State Government yesterday resolved to introduce a development levy in the state for all categories of earners to enhance revenue accrued to coffers of the state.

This was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the state government and the organised labour to bring to an end the over two weeks industrial action embarked upon by workers in the state to press on their demands.

The state Head of Service, Nicholas Abari Aboki, and the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Yusuf Iya, signed the agreement on behalf of the state government and the organised labour respectively.

The MoU read in part: “It was equally agreed that the government will introduce a development levy in the state for all category of earners to enhance revenue for the next 12 months to enable the government meet up with its commitments and existing obligations.

“All pending promotions/annual increment at hand for workers under government employ that are due and pursuant to the report of the committee for implementation of outstanding promotions up to 2017 should be implemented with effect from August 2021.”

The MoU continued that processing of all pending promotions from 2018 to date be processed and implemented for all those that qualified in line with the public service rules of the state.

On the issue of minimum wage, the MoU resolved that having commenced the payment for workers on levels 1 to 6, discussions and consequential adjustment for level 7 and above will continue through the standing committee on the implementation of minimum wage.

Regarding the August 2016 salary arrears, it was agreed that payment of the last tranche of the outstanding August 2016 salary arrears be paid immediately.

Part of the agreement was that, no worker shall be victimised on account of his or her participation in the industrial action, with the organised labour agreeing not to also victimise any worker who abstained from the strike.