A one day meeting of the South-East Governors Forum ended yesterday in Enugu without a word on the controversial minimum wage.
Expectation had been rife that the governors would take a stand on the contentious minimum wage and critical issues affecting the South East but the Chairman of the forum and Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi kept sealed lips at the end of the meeting.
When asked by journlaists to disclose the outcome of the meeting, Governor Obi smiled and nodded his head before entering his vehicle.
The governors later left for Abuja few minutes after the meeting for a crucial meeting with President Good Luck Jonathan.
But our correspondent gathered from an insider that the governors might have deliberated on the resolve of the organized Labour to deal with some South Eastern states if Enugu refused to pay minimum wage.
The source added that the governors were not happy that labour was using a state in the South-East to set the pace on the implementation of the minimum wage.
It was also gathered that the governors might appeal to President Jonathan to wade into the minimum wage war in Enugu State and the threat by labour to deal with other states in the zone.
Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Theordor Orji (Abia), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Peter Obi (Anambra) Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) were present at the meeting.
“My joy today is double as I see the future is bright because my partners, the WWTF, has made arrangements to sponsor the best three bead makers to partake at the Togo trade fair. And I think we ought to applaud them for this great gesture, and also the Smithsonian institute, who happen to be the organisers of the prestigious cultural festival of the USA, with the aim of showcasing cultures from all over the world,” she said.
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