Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed that the welfare of the people remains a top priority of his administration.
Governor Otti stated this when he received the National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero and his delegation at the Government House, Umuahia.
He described his government as labour-friendly, noting that the present administration is currently clearing 16 years of outstanding benefits owed to families of deceased Abia workers.
He directed the Secretary to the State Government and other relevant officials to investigate why the statutory 10 per cent check-off dues were not being remitted to the NLC national body.
Responding to a request for a befitting Secretariat for the Abia State chapter of the NLC, Governor Otti instructed that land be allocated for the project and assured that the State Government would be part of its development.
Earlier, the NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero commended Governor Otti for the visible transformation across the state, including the renovation of hostels at Abia State University (ABSU), describing the Governor as people-oriented and progressive.
Comrade Ajaero also called for the construction of a befitting Secretariat for the Abia NLC, the provision of an operational vehicle for the State Congress, and the direct remittance of the statutory 10 per cent monthly check-off dues to the national body.
In his remarks, the Abia State NLC Chairman, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro, lauded the Governor’s labour-friendly disposition, particularly the regular payment of workers’ salaries, which he said had ended the era of salary arrears in the State.
