Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied reports that he proposed to pay a minimum wage of N80,000 to workers in the state and its local government areas.

His Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, issued a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, describing the reports as unverified claims.

The statement issued on Friday clarified that there is no truth in the claims circulating online about the governor’s alleged proposal for a new minimum wage.

The statement read, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to claims circulating in an online media that the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has proposed to pay a new minimum wage of N80,000 for civil servants in the state and local government areas.

“Ordinarily, we would not have responded to this fake news, but for the wrong impression it would create in the minds of the public, especially civil servants in the state.

“Therefore, it is important to state that the unverified claims being circulated by Newsweekng.com, and titled: ‘Breaking News: Governor Fubara Proposes N80,000 minimum wage’ are totally false and misleading.”

He pleaded with the general public, especially civil servants in the state to ignore the claims.

“The Rivers State Government will make its position on the issue known in due course,” the statement added.