Kogi Labour Urges Payment of Gratuities, Water Access; Governor Approves Tax Relief, Career Extension

By Abbas Nazil

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi State has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to address pressing workers’ welfare issues, notably the payment of accumulated gratuities for retirees and the worsening water scarcity affecting citizens across the state.

Speaking during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration, the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Amari Gabriel, emphasized the urgent need for the state government to clear the backlog of unpaid gratuities, which he revealed has run into billions of naira.

According to him, many retired workers who devoted decades of their productive years to public service in Kogi now face hardship and uncertainty due to the non-payment of their entitlements.

He appealed to the governor to collaborate with organized labour to explore sustainable mechanisms—such as bond arrangements with favorable terms—to settle the arrears.

While acknowledging some of the current administration’s efforts in addressing critical issues affecting the welfare of retirees, Comrade Amari expressed concern over the dire living conditions of pensioners who, he said, now live on hope rather than tangible support.

He urged the governor to extend his known compassionate disposition to the plight of retirees, whom he described as foundational to the state’s development.

In addition to the gratuity backlog, the labour union decried the worsening economic conditions, pointing out that the current national minimum wage is no longer sufficient to meet the basic needs of the average Nigerian family.

They attributed this to the country’s rising inflation and increasing cost of living.

The union stressed the need for constructive engagement with government policies, calling for inclusive governance that accommodates diverse perspectives and fosters active citizen participation.

This, they believe, would help ensure that government initiatives are more responsive to the needs of workers and the general populace.

In a related development, Governor Ahmed Ododo responded by unveiling a series of policy measures aimed at alleviating the economic burden on workers.

Notably, he approved an extension of the existing tax relief for workers by an additional year, pushing its expiration from October 2025 to October 2026.

This relief, first introduced in October 2024, coincided with the state’s implementation of the new national minimum wage of N72,500.

Governor Ododo also announced the adoption of a 40-year career service policy and a new retirement age of 65 years for healthcare professionals in the state.

He said the move aligns with national standards and aims to retain skilled and experienced personnel in the health sector, ensuring better service delivery and institutional continuity.

As the state continues to navigate economic and administrative reforms, the appeals by labour leaders and the government’s responsive measures mark a critical dialogue in the ongoing struggle for improved workers’ welfare in Kogi.