OYO STATE workers on Monday succeeded in their demand for a review and implementation of a new wage bill when the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration agreed to a new minimum wage of N19, 987.14 for all tiers of workers in the state.
The decision is however coming with huge responsibilities for the government, who must find the funds to pay for what it has promised Oyo State workers.
Among other things, Governor Ajimobi is looking to raise the internally generated revenue of the state through a broad review of its tax policies to meet increasing expenditure. These include an upgrade of the Bola Ige International Market at Gbagi are of Ibadan, and a review of the vehicle registration ordinance along with personal tax.
Others include introduction of land use charge, signage charges, transportation system, recertification of business premises, improved title perfection process, quarry levy and agriculture tariff.
The minimum wage issue had pitched the workers against the state government, with a factional group of labor leaders calling out workers on a strike since 19 March 2012 after the purported sack of the authentic labor leaders.
The governor encouraged Oyo people to work towards making the new phase feasible.