By Precious Ndarake

Humanity, the world over has been faced with a common enemy, and since then, global efforts have been geared towards suppressing and totally annihilating the enemy- coronavirus.

Besides, the lost of lives recorded globally, many have lost their jobs and sources of livelihood. Companies have downsized their workers while some have slashed the workers salary, all in an effort to stay in business.

It may not be the best option, but it's better than other available options.

Government of nations the world over are battling to keep the government running, adopting measures which in some cases are severe. All these to ensure that they survive even as the dreaded coronavirus is busy bringing the knees of nations down economically.

In Nigeria, with 90 per cent of our revenue generated from crude oil, we have been badly hit by this pandemic as the prices of crude oil have been reduced, and even sales of the oil has been difficult as borders of nations were closed as a measure to stall the spread of the virus. This has greatly affected the monthly allocations of states in the country.

At the state level, governors of different states are doing their best to keep the government running. Some state governors had before now slashed workers' salaries in their respective states, a measure which is seen as necessary but painful. And most of these states did not implement the new minimum wage signed into law by President Buhari.

In Akwa Ibom State, the state government had a few month ago announced a 20 per cent reduction in the salaries of all government appointees, which they unanimously accepted as part of their sacrifice and contribution to the fight against the dreaded coronavirus.

Today, the same measure had been taken to reduce the minimum wage of workers in the state. This to some workers is unacceptable, and this is where it calls for a rethinking.

Recall that Gov. Udom Emmanuel was among the few state governors in Nigeria that implemented the new minimum wage. He has never joked with the welfare of workers in the state. During this pandemic, he ensured that funds were sought from all legitimate avenues to pay workers in the state even before the 27th of every month, and this he has done consistently even when other states were owing.

Akwa Ibom people have at different fora commended the governor in the way he is fighting the pandemic in the state from the Frontline, equipping hospitals in the state and building a WHO certified Isolation center and molecular laboratory in the state, and at the same time ensuring that workers' welfare is not affected negatively. He sacrificed his personal gains to ensure that workers in the state are smiling. This is the time for Akwa Ibom workers to reciprocate the humane disposition of the state government.

Akwa Ibom workers and indeed the organized labour who have so far enjoyed prompt payment of salaries and many other benefits should be the judge this time around, having taken into cognizance the devastating of global economy by the pandemic, and how government of nations are struggling to breathe with their mouths and nose economically. When they equally consider what their counterparts in other states are going through, no one would tell them to appreciate what Akwa Ibom State government is doing.

We should not forget that the prices of crude oil have drastically dropped, and our budget was done based on the oil benchmark as at then. Now that the benchmark of crude oil has dropped, is it not equally correct for the salaries of workers to be reduced so that government can comfortably pay, rather than owe? Let all of us be the judge.

We should not forget in a hurry that the Federal Government approved 30,000 naira in the new minimum wage, but Akwa Ibom State government were paying 43,000 naira. This is to show you how passionate the state has been in respect of workers' welfare. And now, a small percentage is to be taken from the "overpaid" minimum wage, which will still be enough for an average Akwa Ibom worker to cater for the needs and welfare of his/her family. Should the humane disposition of the government not be reciprocated now? Let all of us be the judge.

Moreover, during the lockdown, only a few percentage of workers went to work, but at the end of the month, everyone would be paid. Is the government not fair enough to workers? Let all of us be the judge today.

There's no father that would fold his hands and watch his house go down in flames, hence the measure by Akwa Ibom State government to ensure that the houses of Akwa Ibom workers do not go in flames of debts.

Today, let all of us be the judge, and a fair one at that. Let all of us put our legs in the shoes of the government of the day, and boldly say without sentiments that the decision of the state government is not correct.

It is time for all of us to wear human faces and help government serve all of us better. We must all make this sacrifice for the future of Akwa Ibom State and that of our children. This is a sacrifice we must all make. Let us not eat away our tomorrow today.

Precious Ndarake, senior civil servant, Akwa Ibom State Government, stainlessmbakarau@gmail.com

Both the OP and the person that wrote it needs serious brain revaluation.

Honchogee and Ilaumoh, I guess this news too is fake as well.

Your sack letters are already on the table.