Saturday March 7, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has urged the State Ministry of Labour and Productivity to issue statutory compliance notices to multinational companies operating in the state that are yet to implement the approved minimum wage.
The House also called on relevant enforcement agencies to uphold the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act and other labour laws by sanctioning organisations that fail to comply.
These resolutions followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Labour and Productivity on a motion urging the Akwa Ibom State Government to compel multinational companies to implement the approved minimum wage of N70,000.
Presenting the report during Thursday’s plenary, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Sunday Johnny, said investigations by the committee revealed that only a few companies operating in the state had fully complied with the new minimum wage regime.
According to the report, the N70,000 national minimum wage approved by President Bola Tinubu and the N80,000 approved by Governor Umo Eno for workers in Akwa Ibom State have yet to be implemented by most of the companies investigated.
The committee noted that several organisations cited reasons such as financial constraints and the absence of official directives for their failure to comply.
It further observed that widespread non-compliance reflects weak enforcement mechanisms and poor adherence to statutory labour regulations.
To address the situation, the House directed relevant regulatory and labour inspection bodies to conduct routine and unannounced compliance audits across public and private sector establishments in the state.
The Assembly also urged the State Government, through the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, to issue clear implementation circulars and strengthen inter-agency collaboration to ensure uniform enforcement of the minimum wage law.
The report was presented to the House through a motion moved by the House Leader, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, and seconded by the Deputy Leader, Hon. Nsidibe Akata.
The earlier motion, which was presented during plenary on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, had been referred to the Committee on Labour and Productivity for further legislative action.
The committee also disclosed that it would, in line with its oversight responsibilities, conduct scheduled and unscheduled visits to companies and establishments claiming compliance with the Minimum Wage Act to verify implementation through the inspection of payroll records.
Meanwhile, a Bill for a Law to establish the Akwa Ibom State Mineral Resources Development Agency, sponsored by the member representing Ikono State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Udo and nine others, was read for the first time during plenary and referred to the Committee on Rules, Business, Ethics and Privileges for rescheduling.
