The Leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives, Rep Kingsley Chinda, has said a minimum can’t take any Nigerian worker home; instead, a living wage should be the government’s ultimate goal.

According to Daily Trust, Chinda made this disclosure in a chat with journalists in Abuja on Friday night.

He said: “Well, first, I would tell you that as a caucus, we don’t believe in minimum wage.

“Incidentally, you even asked for minimum wage. What we have been calling for is a living wage for Nigerians and Nigerian workers.

“And we believe that the question you also asked concerning the issues of corruption, the problems of the zeal to work for the state will depend on some of these things.

“Pay Nigerians a living wage; corruption will be reduced. Pay Nigerians a residing salary; you will ignite the spirit to work for the nation.

“But pay minimum wage; I don’t think it will solve the problem. So, the position of governors that they will not pay more than 70,000 a month to Nigerians will not help this country; it will not solve our problem, let us be realistic.

“Let us look at a living wage that is affordable by the government, and if the Executive arm is sincere, see it with Labour. Talk to Nigerians; we will all see what is practicable. Nigerians are angry because they feel that there is so much waste.

I have even seen some publishing humongous figures such as parliament members’ salaries. Those are things that will make any Nigerian angry. And then, when you talk about N70,000, how can you survive?

“I think our laws recognise that a Nigerian should have one or two wives minimum, one wife and four children. You have one wife, and you have four children. Will 70,000 care for the welfare of four children, your rent, transport and all that? How much is a bag of rice?

“So please let us even leave the issue of minimum wage. Let’s talk about a living wage. So, as a caucus, we support living wage for Nigerians without compromise. I can even tell you to take it to the bank, not just the minority caucus, the entire house, including the speaker.

“Because I recall when the speaker of the HoR was in the Villa, his brief remark was that we require living wage for Nigerians.

“So we solidly support Labour in that.
The only area we have also urged Labour is that in cause of agitating for that, let us go by the rules. Two wrongs cannot make a right.”