Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has announced plans to consider implementing the N35,000 wage approved by the federal government for workers.
Governor Otti made the disclosure when he received in audience, the executive members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abia State Council who were on a working visit.
Governor Otti revealed the formation of a committee tasked with addressing this issue, which has already submitted its initial report.
He directed the Committee to further investigate the discriminatory salary structure for health workers, particularly regarding the consolidated health salary structure (CONHES).
The Governor also pledged to address salary arrears owed to Abia workers in various government departments and parastatals, including ABSUTH, ASUBEB, ASCETA, Abiapoly, and primary school teachers, left by the previous administration.
He further disclosed that efforts are underway to resolve pension arrears owed to pensioners in the state through collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.
Governor Otti expressed concern over fraudulent practices such as salary padding and absenteeism, by some bad eggs in the system and urged the NLC to help identify and eliminate such issues.
“There are a lot of people who are collecting salaries but are not coming to work. My challenge to NLC is to help us, what they (ghost workers) are doing, is stealing from you. It is very important you take it as responsibility”, Otti said.
He noted that his agdministration may not be sharing money as was the case in the past, but that he is busy creating conducive atmosphere for survival of every Abian as well as bring back all companies that left the State due to infrastructural dacay.
Earlier, the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) ,Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro appealed to the Governor to consider implementing the N35,000 wage bill approved for workers by the federal government, address the high-handedness of some government appointees against civil servants, offset arrears of salaries ranging from 3-30 months owed various categories of workers by the previous administration.
Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro also used the forum to draw the attention of the Governor to the verification issue that has denied some workers their salaries for about 7 months now, alleged victimization of workers by Valumbra floor mill, Aba among other issues.
He commended Governor Alex Otti for his numerous achievements in office including keeping to his promise of paying salaries to Abia workers on 28th of every month, urging the Governor to see Abia workers as integral part of his administration.
“You are doing well and every Abian is happy. Things are happening. It shows that we did not make mistake when we said we want change”, Comrade Okoro stated.
