The Adamawa State Government has approved a minimum wage of N70,000 for local government workers across the state, marking a significant step toward enhancing worker welfare in the region.

Mr. Iliya James, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, made this announcement during a digital press briefing following a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held on Wednesday in Yola. The meeting was presided over by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

The State Executive Council also reviewed the 2024 budget performance, expressing satisfaction with achieving an 80% implementation rate, a notable improvement from 56% recorded in 2023.

Budget Performance and Financial Management

During the briefing, the Commissioner for Finance and Budget, Mrs. Augustina Wandamiya, alongside her colleague from the Bureau of Budget, Mr. Emanuel Pridimso, explained that the administration has focused on redeploying surpluses and closing balances of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure effective closure of the financial year.

Mr. Pridimso highlighted that the state has continued to make significant developmental progress while maintaining transparency in governance through efficient financial management and discipline in budget implementation.

"The state had been able to continue to make impactful developmental progress and induce transparency in governance through efficient management of finances and discipline in budget markets," Pridimso stated.

The minimum wage approval for local government workers represents one of the concrete steps taken by the Fintiri administration to address worker welfare concerns at the grassroots level, potentially setting a benchmark for other states in the region.