Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has called for the federal government to set the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers above ₦62,000.
The former Governor urged President Bola Tinubu to establish the minimum wage at ₦90,000, emphasizing the necessity for better treatment of civil servants.
Kalu pointed out that the minimum wage has not been increased in the last five years despite rising inflation in the country.
Kalu also acknowledged that while President Tinubu has made commendable strides in certain aspects of the economy, it is evident that Nigerians are still facing hunger.
He stressed that more efforts are needed in the area of food production to address this critical issue.
Speaking with Channels Television, the federal lawmaker said: “I’m sure the president has done well in some areas and he also needs to improve in many other areas. I’m a very practical person, I fear nobody and I support the truth.
“President Tinubu has done so well in some areas, and in some other areas of feeding our people, people are hungry, so I cannot say.
“He has done well in economic policy, monetary policy. Very good.
“But in fiscal policies we haven’t grown more food. I want us to grow more food.”
On the new minimum wage, Kalu proposed ₦90,000, and also advocated local government autonomy.
“I’m a proponent that local governments should be getting their money fully.
“I also believe that N62,000 cannot do anything. N90,000… and why I’m proposing N90,000 is very simple. We have not increased the minimum wage in five years.
“I’m a practical person. The civil servants need good treatment,” he added.