NEC sets up ad-hoc committee over N702.9bn for Workers’ cost of living allowance

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After the termination of the fuel subsidy, the National Economic Council (NEC) established an ad hoc committee to find ways to lessen the suffering of Nigerian workers.

The council, according to a statement by the Office of the Vice President, on Friday, gave the committee two weeks to look into two scenarios suggested by the National Salaries Wages and Income Commission (NSWIC).

The statement noted that the council said this at the first NEC meeting chaired by Vice-President Kashim Shettima after its inauguration by President Bola Tinubu.

The NSWIC Chairman, Mr Ekpo Nta, suggested that the national minimum wage be reviewed to reflect present-day realities and that a cost of living adjustment allowance costing N702.9bn is created to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal on workers.

NEC also gave an update on the country’s accounts, noting that the Excess Crude Account stands at $473,754.56 and Stabilisation Account at N26.6bn, while the Natural Resources Fund stands at N96.9bn.