The 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has said the least minimum wage that the state workers expected from the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is N100,000.
While hailing the governor for upgrading the state’s minimum wage to N85,000, Rhodes-Vivour, stressed that the new minimum wage is insufficient to cater to the high cost of living in the state.
In a tweet via his X handle on Thursday, the politician noted that judging by the worsening cost of living in the country, the least any worker could earn is N100,000.
He opined that a minimum wage of “at least N100,000 is necessary for Lagos workers to achieve parity with their counterparts in other states” owing to the high costs of transportation, rent, and also because the state “ranks second nationally in the average cost of a healthy diet, making it the second most expensive city in the country to feed.”
The ex-LP governorship candidate bemoaned the governor for his “boasts” on increasing the state’s budget from N600 billion to over N1 trillion, saying it was of less importance compared to the state’s poor infrastructure, low investment in human capital and education outcomes, among others.
He said Governor Sanwo-Olu boasts of increasing the Lagos budget from N600 billion to over N1 trillion, with a projected N3 trillion before his term ends, adding that the governor claims a 94% budget performance rate.
However, according to him, these claims seem to be at odds with the reality of Lagos as the city still grapples with poor infrastructure, low investment in human capital and education outcomes, a struggling public transportation network, increasing slums and informal communities, and very few social welfare programs.
For him, “These are the issues that truly matter to the people of Lagos, not just the size of the budget.”
He stated, “It’s crucial to note that over 70% of Lagos State’s operating revenue comes from taxes, with PAYE (Pay As You Earn) contributing 45%. This means the state’s wealth, which the governor seems to take all the credit for, is primarily generated by citizens’ hard work.
“The critical question is: What tangible benefits do Lagosians receive in return for this significant contribution? Do their children have access to quality public education? Is there an efficient and affordable public transportation system? Are the roads well-maintained? Is social housing readily available? Can residents easily access capital for entrepreneurship?
“These are the real measures of a government’s success, not just the size of its budget. Boasting about an aggressive and exploitative tax system without commensurate investment in public goods is more characteristic of a cartel than a supposedly progressive government.”
Rhodes-Vivour added that the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state had “wasted 24 years, barely scratching the surface,” as he lamented the slow development rate in the state.
Investors King had reported that Governor Sanwo-Olu had announced N85,000 as the minimum wage the state would be paying.
The governor had said he looks forward to increasing the wage to N100,000 if the revenue of the state increases.
