BENIN CITY, Nigeria – Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has announced a reduction in the working week for civil and public servants from five to three days, following the precedent set by Kwara State.
This measure aims to ease the burden brought about by the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal policy.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, Governor Obaseki highlighted the proactive measures taken by the Edo State government, including a rise in the minimum wage paid to workers from the standard N30,000 to N40,000, the highest in Nigeria.
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“As a proactive government, we have since taken the step to increase the minimum wage paid to workers in Edo State from the approved N30,000 to N40,000, the highest in the country today,” he affirmed.
“We want to assure you that we will continue to pay this amount, while we hope to increase it even further if more allocation accrues to our State from the Federal Government in view of the expected savings occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy.”
Acknowledging the hardship induced by the subsidy removal policy, Obaseki announced that the Edo State Government would be reducing the number of work days civil and public servants need to commute to their workplaces.
Workers are now expected to work from home two days a week.
Moreover, the government is planning to expand the EdoBEST@Home initiative to create more virtual classrooms, effectively reducing commuting costs for parents, teachers, and pupils.
Further details on this initiative will be provided by Edo SUBEB in the coming days.
Governor Obaseki concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to improving power supply and making fibre optic connections available to facilitate remote work, hence reducing the cost of transportation.
He urged citizens to remain calm and continue their daily businesses lawfully amidst these changes.
