BY ENDURANCE IKANONE
Mixed reactions are trending in Sapele, Delta State after President Bola Tinubu approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for workers.
The announcement has sparked intense debate among residents, with some hailing the move as a welcome relief while others feel it fails to reflect the harsh economic realities in the country.
For some workers in Sapele, the new minimum wage is a long-awaited respite from the harsh economic realities of the country.
Mr. Dave Iyomo, speaking to journalists, expressed his disappointment with the new minimum wage, saying: “The approved amount of N70,000 is unfair and inadequate to support a family of four in a town like Sapele, where the cost of living is high.
‘’It’s even more concerning for those in Asaba and other cities where the cost of living is even higher. I had expected the President to approve a minimum wage of at least N150,000, considering the harsh economic realities we are all facing.’’
Others shared similar sentiments, pointing out that the new minimum wage does not even cover the basic needs of an average family. “It’s a mere token,” said Mr. Louis Adogho, a public servant. “We need a living wage that can cater for our needs, not just a tokenistic increase.”
“Meanwhile, a civil servant, who wished to be identified as Michael Biokoro, expressed a contrasting view, telling reporters: “This is a dream come true. We have been struggling to make ends meet with the old wage, and this increase will go a long way in improving our standard of living.’’
Biokoro’s sentiments were echoed by other workers in Sapele who see the new minimum wage as a step in the right direction. “This will help us to better provide for our families,” said Mrs. Onajite Ossai, a secondary school teacher. “We are grateful to the government for this gesture.”
