Minimum wage: N-Delta activist, Unagha advocates merger for unviable States, LGAs

By Benjamin Oloche

Amidst raging controversy over payment of minimum wage, an Urhobo Ethnic Nationality leader, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha has called for mergers of States and Local Government Councils that are not economically viable

Alhaji Unagha, made the remarks at an interactive section with journalists on the burning issue of the minimum wage in Warri, Belta State.

According to him, the era of rushing to Abuja for monthly allocation should be discouraged and go for the good of the nation.

He said, “We are all aware of the minimum wage controversy between labour Unions and the federal Government.

“It is obvious that some State Governors cannot pay the amount labour Unions are demanding. In reality, is also true that what the Federal Government is offering cannot sustain an average homes in Nigeria.

“I wish therefore call for the mergers of some states and Local Government Councils that are not viable enough economically.

The former presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, stressed further that, “If a state cannot pay a minimum wage to better the lives of it’s citizenry, such state or Local Government Council should not exist.

“There are too many economically barren states and Local Government over depending on the Federal Government for survival..

“I’m not a believer of regional government, the only way to encourage states for sustainability, self dependant some state must go except they fend for themselves.

“Some states were created for the purpose of sharing resources that comes from the Oil. Nigeria should go back to derivation to justify the capacity of states.”