A Catholic priest and the founder of Adoration Ministries in Enugu State, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka, has said that senators, governors, and members of the House of Representatives should also be paid the proposed N62,000 minimum wage.
His comments come as discussions between the Federal Government and labour unions continue over the new minimum wage.
The government has proposed N62,000, whereas labour unions are demanding N250,000.
While criticizing the significant allowances given to legislators despite the struggles faced by ordinary Nigerians, he suggested that senators, governors, and members of the House of Representatives should also be paid the proposed N62,000 minimum wage.
The cleric called on the Federal Government to approach the minimum wage issue with caution to avoid potential crises.
He urged the Federal Government to act carefully to prevent a crisis.
In an interview with journalists on Saturday, Mbaka said, “If we decide to give labour N60,000 or N62,000, why not generalize it to the House of Assembly members, senatorial members, House of Representative members, and governors?
“They are all civil servants, so are the others slaves? I can’t understand why they are receiving billions in sitting allowance, wardrobe allowance, newspaper allowance, and suffering allowance.
“The people that should have such allowances are those suffering in the village.”
Mbaka further remarked, “How much are our teachers, nurses, and doctors being paid? Let’s be realistic, our civil servants who wake early and return late daily, how much are they being paid?
“Given the level of inflation in the country, it is clear that we are not being sincere.
“I’m pleading with the government that a stitch in time saves nine; this situation must be handled with care because it might be hijacked and nobody knows the ripple effect.”
