Anambra: Why I won’t increase salaries – Obiano tells workers

Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, has told workers in the state that he will not increase their salaries, saying "I won't promise you what I cannot do."
He said this in his May Day address, 24 hours after the leadership of the organised labour in the state had endorsed the governor for a second term for his commitment to workers' welfare.

Obiano reminded the workers that his administration had increased their salaries by 15 percent in 2015.
"I wish to restate my earlier promise that I will increase your salaries once I see a significant growth in my Internally Generated Revenue; once we are able to push it to N2.3bn per month. Now we have an average IGR of about N1.4 billion.
"So, all hands must be on deck to achieve this target and create new economic elbowroom for ourselves and our families.

"I must commend you for coping with the harsh challenges caused by the current recession. I salute your resilience in the midst of a contracting economy".
The Nigeria Labour congress, Anambra State chapter, had in its May day address urged the governor to declare a state of emergency on workers' salaries.
He said, "Our labour friendly Governor has also shown a lot of goodwill and favourable disposition towards the welfare of workers. Since the inception of his administration, salaries, pensions and leave allowances are regularly paid.

"In as much as we appreciate your kind disposition to workers' welfare, it is still very clear that under the present harsh economic situation, the workers are passing through a lot of untold hardship, as what they receive as their salary does not scratch their basic needs on the surface.
"It is therefore our passionate appeal that a 'state of emergency" be declared for the upward review of the salaries of the workers".