The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has commended President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to make workers enjoy a living wage in 2024.
The South-West Zonal Secretary of the party, Mr Femi Olaniyi, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.
NAN reports that Tinubu, in his New Year broadcast, said the Federal Government would implement a new national living wage for industrious workers in 2024.
The president said the decision did not only make good economic sense but was the morally and politically correct thing to do.
Reacting, Olaniyi said the current economic challenges should make the president and other leaders at the state and local governments to prioritise alleviating the hardship suffered by the people.
According to him, the president’s promise must be fulfilled with all sincerity and without delay so as to put smiles on workers’ faces to get the best out of them.
“We again received this news with joy and gladness. It is a right step to take as workers ‘take home’ can no longer meet their yearnings and aspirations.
“While we commend the president for this, we would like to appeal to Tinubu to labour more to reduce inflation and stabilise the economy.
“By doing this, everyone in the economic strata will enjoy good living and be happy.
“Nigerians are truly in pains and the government must be seen to be doing something in practical terms to end their sufferings and wipe away their tears,” he said.
Olaniyi, also the Lagos State Chairman of SDP, said the Federal Government had put the well-being of the poor and most vulnerable in the front burner through people-focused policies and programmes.
He advised the labour unions and the Federal Government to the open minded while deliberating on the new national living wage.
He urged Nigerians, especially the suffering masses, to keep hope alive that the nation’s economy would be better in the new year.
NAN reports that Tinubu in his broadcast on Monday said his government would work diligently to make sure every Nigerian felt its impact.
The president said his government had laid the groundwork of economic recovery plans within the last seven months of 2023, “we are now poised to accelerate the pace of our service delivery across sectors.”
He said the issue of stable electricity supply would continue to be prioritised because of the recognition that no sustainable development could be achieved without steady electricity.
The president said 2024 would also witness a boost in food supply and production.
