Some lawmakers in Abuja on Tuesday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to pay the new National Minimum wage of N18,000 signed into law across board.
The Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu at a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, said that government would pay only Grade Levels 01 to 06 while 07 to 17 would be included in the 2012 budget.
But in separate interviews, Samson Osagie (ACN, Edo), said government has no option than to implement the wage across board.
"As far as I am concerned, government has no option than to implement the wage it has pledged to Nigerians before the elections and cannot renege on its promise after the elections.
"The way and manner it is being done looks as if it was an election gimmick by government.
"We on our part as legislators have done our bit by passing the bill. But it is very ridiculous now for government to refuse to implement it across board.
"It is the responsibility of government to do budget, if they discover that they did not capture it in the budget, they can come up with a supplementary budget.
"The oil price has not reduced in terms of our daily production, revenue expectations has not dropped in spite of the economic and security challenges.
"If they are sincere about it, the National Assembly is ready to assist by passing a supplementary budget.
"Let government calculate what it will take and come up with a supplementary budget. They should not hide under the excuse of budget." Akpan Umoh (PDP, Akwa Ibom), said it is important for agreements to be honoured.
Mr Umoh said that if the agreement is honoured by government, the strike would be averted.
According to him, the situation at hand is critical enough for government to source for fund to deal with the matter.
He said that the seventh National Assembly would not compromise on issues affecting national development.
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